News

High Streets: Life beyond retail?

Artspace Lifespace recently contributed to a report from the House Of Lords examining how our city centres can be revitalised. The key findings from the report are: The dominance of retail on high streets is something of the past. Whilst shopping will still be a key feature, there is greater demand and opportunity for restaurants […]

Meeting Minutes Artspace Lifespace AGM

Artspace Lifespace held its 6th Annual General Meeting online via zoom. Presentation & Minutes Impact Report and Audited Statement of Accounts   Access the Charity’s Impact Report, and Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements

Bristol’s Cultural Impact

Bristol City Council Arts and Events Team are seeking as many creatives and organisations as possible to complete their new Cultural Infrastructure Survey.  They are keen to hear from artists and creatives requiring/renting space for their practice, as well as organisations and businesses who offer and enable space for others. Responses will be used as […]

Trinity Centre talk to Artspace Lifespace

Two actors wearing warm winter clothes crouch on wooden blocks covered in fake snow.

The below article is by Trinity Arts Centre who are taking on the Jacobs Wells Baths building in Bristol, a former Artspace Lifespace project. At Trinity, we are committed to protecting public buildings and spaces and keeping them in the service of the local community. As part of our mission to restore and reopen Jacobs Wells, […]

💥 Artspace Lifespace November highlights 💥

A person stands with a hood over their head which is filled with smoke

A Festival Of Stories, 2025 Artist Residency Opportunities and Life Live this month across our buildings. https://mailchi.mp/6d1e79e737ee/artspace-lifespace-november2024-newsletter

Artspace Lifespace Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2024

Notice of the 6th Annual General Meeting Notice is hereby given that the 6th Annual General Meeting of ArtspaceUK (Artspace Lifespace CIO) will be held on Friday, 15th November 2024, at 5.15pm.  Date: 15th November 2024 Time: 17.15 Location: Online Tune in via Zoom Join Zoom Meetinghttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/89159998451 Meeting ID: 891 5999 8451 AGENDA Welcome and […]

Slowdanger

two people take a selfie with their heads against a mirror

In August performance artists Slowdanger held a 3 day residency in our Dance Studio, in return we asked them to write a blog piece about the experience. If you’re interested in having space to develop your creative work see our residency page. While in Bristol for a peer review of our performance methods chapter for […]

🌿 Artspace Lifespace September highlights 🌿

Two people stand on a stage in front of a clothes rail, one is taking a selfie

New Theatre show Girlhood on T (pictured), Artist Support Sessions and an Urban Nature Day this September at Artspace Lifespace. https://mailchi.mp/adda0650b91c/artspace-lifespace-september2024-newsletter-20234682

Quitting Twitter

An easel with a painting of a clenched fist and the word 'solidarity'

Art is an intangible and often polarising word, but one thing is certain; art can make powerful statements. Images can sum up what is hard to say and transcend languages. There is power in images and the messages you convey, they should be used respectfully. This month, as a reaction to racist fueled riots in […]

🌈 Artspace Lifespace July Highlights 🌈

Street Litter protest, Burning Sisterhood and the ABC’s of a new economy this July in our newsletter. https://mailchi.mp/ca73839c41bb/artspace-lifespace-july2024-newsletter

Meanwhile Use, Gentrification and Activating Space for Communities

May was a whirlwind of a month for Artspace Lifespace advocating for cultural spaces in our cities. Here are some reflections from our Company Manager, Kathryn Chiswell Jones. On May 11th-12th, we celebrated our first year since Sparks Bristol opened to the public. Thanks to Arts Council England for extending our funding, enabling us to […]

🎺 Artspace Lifespace June highlights 🎺

Global Routes, (Mis)fortunes and a festival of International Culture at Artspace Lifespace this June. – https://mailchi.mp/49137420cd5c/artspace-lifespace-june-newsletter

Artspace Lifespace Cultural Venue Exchange

Three people stand on a grand balcony inside Bristol Beacon

Exploring the Historic Transformation: Behind the Scenes at Bristol Beacon. In March we held our team leaders meeting at Bristol Beacon. We met at the Sound Lounge where we were warmly welcomed by Sarah Robertson, Communications and Special Projects Director, who brought us on a captivating journey behind the scenes of Bristol Beacon. First built […]

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 […]

Creative Ideas for February Half Term

A woman and child dance under a glitter ball in a park podium

February half term is coming fast. With the unpredictable weather it’s always a daunting week to fill with affordable kids entertainment so here’s some tips for creative days out around Bristol, including good picnic and toilet spots! As a venue who recently held a 90’s crisp buffet night we can’t help but love Zion Space […]

Sparks Bristol lease extended until December 2025

A man stands looking at a gift in a colourful shop

The old Marks & Spencers building in Broadmead saw massive changes in 2023. Now renamed Sparks Bristol, the four-storey department store was taken on by charities Artspace Lifespace and Global Goals Centre. Since opening in May 2023, Sparks Bristol has welcomed over 350,000 visitors. They recently announced that all their hard work has paid off […]

2023 AGM Minutes are now live

Discover the highlights from our 2023 AGM (Annual General Meeting), where we shared the news of our successful Cultural Investment Programme grant, a testament to our commitment to the arts in Bristol. While we celebrate our achievements, we also emphasise the importance of supporting funding for ‘larger’ organizations and how for the first time, Artspace […]

Notice for an Annual General Meeting for Artspace Lifespace CIO

NOTICE OF MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual General Meeting of Artspace Lifespace will be held via zoom at 18:00 on Wednesday the 6th December to transact the following business. AGENDA Introductions and welcome from AGM Chair  Apologies for absence Minutes of the previous AGM To be agreed and matters arising. Presentation of […]