About ASLS
Creative Solutions for Properties and Places
ArtSpace LifeSpace (ASLS) is a Registered Charity transforming vacant properties into thriving creative spaces across Bristol and beyond. We specialise in repurposing underused buildings into vibrant community arts centres, working closely with artists, property owners, local authorities and local communities.
We have over 20 years experience working in the ‘Meanwhile space’ sector, specialising in revitalising forgotten spaces creatively. Vacant properties can have a significant negative impact on communities, contributing to decline, neighbourhood safety issues and low community morale. Our meanwhile use approach – or ‘worthwhile use’ – provides security and cost savings for property owners which can be reinvested back into supporting the local artist and creative economy.
Our Offer
What We Offer:
- Affordable artist and music studios and creative workshop space
- Artist residency program supporting emerging talent
- Community arts programs working with local partners
- Gallery exhibition space
- Training Space for Circus and Dance
- Venue hire for events, exhibitions and dance
- Consultancy and Creative Solutions to support both meanwhile and longer term development with community and creativity at its heart.
Our Mission
Providing Access, Space, Logistics and Support for a vibrant creative community in Bristol and beyond.
Artspace are Creative Placemakers, curating and caring for a diverse range of spaces to create welcoming places that reflect the community’s identity and values, where artists can create, collaborate, and present their work. Our organisation purposes are to promote art for the benefit of the public by the establishment and maintenance of facilities for artists from a variety of artistic practices to create works, to collaborate, and to present and perform those works for the public.
Our Values
- Responsive: Actively addressing community needs for buildings and places, involving stakeholders in placemaking decisions.
- Activist: Independent and grassroots, embracing DIY delivery models. We champion socially engaged art that fosters dialogue and empowers communities.
- Flexible: Providing space to experiment and pursue innovative art through our Artspace Resispace programme.
- Trusted: Building relationships with artists, communities and property owners to develop shared solutions for spaces.
- Enabling: Seeing and realising potential others may not, acting as a catalyst for community development.
- Responsible: Reliable guardians of spaces, protecting and celebrating social and cultural heritage that might otherwise be lost.
- Supportive: Fostering resilient environments, helping communities take ownership of regeneration and harnessing local skills and capabilities.
Cultural Community Spaces
Working with communities and creatives is at the heart of what we do. Each of the buildings we take on responds differently to local relevance and are designed in respect and response to the cultural and physical context of the different sites. Without people, the buildings we operate are just bricks and mortar. Our creative communties consist of artists working in:
- 2D Art Painting, Printmaking, Illustration
- 3D Art Sculpture, Installation & Public Art
- Advocacy
- Furniture Making Bespoke and Upcycling
- Ceramics / Glassmaking
- Creative Writing and Poetry
- Fashion / Textiles / Millinery
- Jewellery Making and Repair
- Music & Sound Recording
- New Media Arts Digital Art, Film & Video
- Photography
- Sustainable Education & Retail
We work on both a meanwhile basis and longer-term projects that support our mission and vision. We are funded through both earned income and grant income and our aim is for each venue we manage to be self-sustainable whilst remaining affordable, creative and inclusive.
“The Island has been an amazingly supportive place to nourish my creative practise. As an emerging artist from a very niche and Japanese textile art form, the affordable rents provided me with the space I needed to grow. My work is now gaining international recognition – it was thanks to Kathryn who in 2020 pointed out a competition to me, which I entered and my work was subsequently hung in a Japanese museum of Art and Design. That was a launchpad for all that has followed.
Rhyannan Hall, Studio Holder at The Island
Artspace Lifespace is part of the Bristol Culture Network, the Mycelial Network of Community Asset Developers and a member of Diverse Artists Network. In 2025 we became one of five Community Led High Street Innovators nationally to help develop the work we already do to support other creatives to take on their own creative spaces.
We were given expert advice and guidance on an extremely complex lease that we have been negotiating for some time. Being able to receive feedback from someone who understood the specific context of the Bristol Arts Sector as well as the legal implications of the documents that we have been working on was incredibly helpful and we are extremely thankful for the support.
IMPERMANENCE
Our Vision is RIPER. To revitalise neglected spaces, inspire innovation, promote inclusivity, encourage artistic talent and to set down roots. Explore the history of Artspace Lifespace and our Projects in Bristol and Beyond.
Ready to Make a Difference? Donate to Artspace Lifespace
We believe everyone is creative, and people need places to explore their creativity and connect with others. When you donate to ArtSpace LifeSpace, you’re not just funding a charity – you’re investing in Bristol’s creative future. We give away £30,000 per annum in space and support to artists through our Artists Residency Programme annually. It costs £7000 per annum to host our annual open studios at The Island. Neither of these programmes are funded. Your donation makes these programmes possible.
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