WHAT WE DO

Artspace Lifespace is an arts charity managing unique venues to provide affordable spaces for artists to make, develop and showcase their work. We offer a mix of artists’ studios and space for exhibitions, filming, events, rehearsal and independent retail across our Bristol venues The Island, The Vestibules, Broadmead XP (The Galleries), Sparks Bristol and the Arts Mansion in North Somerset

Serving the Bristol arts community since 2006, we became a registered charity in 2016, specialising in revitalising forgotten spaces on a meanwhile basis. In addition to providing affordable room for artists, we provide consultancy to professionals such as architects, planners and developers who are committed to regeneration focused on community need. Any profits from earned income are reinvested back into sustaining the organisation and supporting our creative community.

We advocate strongly for the arts in the South West. Through our Residency Programme, the facilitation of network meetings and lobbying, we support individual artists and organisations across all sectors and art forms.

SPACES TO HIRE

We have a wide range of rooms to hire over our four buildings.

You might be looking for a large community meeting space in Sparks Bristol department store, grand rooms at the Arts Mansion or police cells at The Island. Take a look and help us to continue our charitable purpose of providing support and space to the creative community.

Whether it’s film locations, training spaces or messy art studios, we have the right room for you.

ARTSPACE RESIDENCIES

Artspace Lifespace offer residencies across our three projects, The Vestibules, Arts Mansion and The Island.

We are proud to support artists to develop new work. Applications for the 2024 residency programme are now open.

“My artspace lifespace residency at Sparks allowed me to carry out my workshops for my research in a relaxing and positive environment that echoes my values. Being able to use the space free of charge relieved a lot of financial pressure too.” – Ellen Edwards

See details of previous residencies

An image of a woman called Alice. She is wearing a lilac purple hat, tortoiseshell glasses and has red hair in pigtails. She is wearing vibrant pink and blue eyeshadow and pink lipstick while smiling. She is wearing a green, pink and light blue floral cap sleeved top.

COMMUNITY OF CREATIVES

This month’s Creative Spotlight is on Island studio holder Alice Sales.

Alice is a Bristol based performance designer and maker, working across both set and costume. She aims to create bold, bright and playful work for all ages with a focus on sustainability.

LATEST NEWS

Unlocking Potential: The Impact of Unrestricted Funding on Artspace Lifespace

A man points to some artwork on the wall of his studio

What a difference a grant makes Funding serves as the lifeblood for organisations dedicated to serving their missions and nurturing thriving communities. However, not all funding opportunities are created equal. Unrestricted funding offered us a breath of fresh air, flexibility and empowerment in a landscape often dominated by restrictive funding streams. In 2023, Artspace Lifespace […]

Roots Of Resilience: Saving Community Spaces

Two women hang upside down in aerial hoops

We’ve been reflecting a lot recently on space for culture and creativity. Our sister company THE INVISIBLE CIRCUS COMMUNITY INTEREST COMPANY parted ways from Artspace Lifespace when they wanted longer-term security than meanwhile community space could offer. Ironically in the same year that Artspace Lifespace celebrated 15 years of meanwhile space at #theislandbristol, the Invisible Circus received notice […]

A Sad Farewell to Unit 15

a signpost on a wall listing closed artistic projects

A new development on an industrial estate in St Philip’s may see us lose one of Bristol’s key cultural institutions from the city as the Invisible Circus are pushed out of Unit 15.

Broadmead XP

A large room with art on the wall and a large table surrounded by chairs

In 2023 Artspace Lifespace continued on our mission to recycle vacant, under-used and problem properties into thriving creative resources and took on management of a retail unit in The Galleries, Broadmead, called Broadmead XP. Broadmead XP houses the retro gaming emporium Playback Arcade a freeplay arcade run and owned by enthusiastic long-term gamers and friends, Mark […]