News

Artspace Lifespace a Bristol Charity that provides creative solutions for properties is working with Trinity Bristol to understand how Trinity can increase community engagement through the activities and programmes it offers.  As well as helping shape Trinity’s future, by completing this survey you can enter a prize draw to be in with a chance to WIN a fantastic #MiniRig […]

At Home With The Smyths – Ashton Court Mansion Eastenders has the Mitchells, Bristol had the Smyths. On June 25-27, Show of Strength brought us on a journey where we met characters from the dynasty that gave us Ashton Court Mansion. Impostors, buried treasure, a lost ring and it’s even better than a soap opera […]

Restrictions might be about to go away, but Covid has not We published the Roadmap out of Lockdown in March 2021 at which time we stated that the capacity of events will be limited until we have evidence it is safe for us to lift them.  The announcement of the lifting of most remaining Covid-19 restrictions in […]

Last month, Saskia Collyns and Maxine Sircana – the duo that make up Inspiral – held a Residency with us in our Circus Training Space. Here’s what we learnt about the adventurous pair. We are currently working on our first show as a company, ‘Interlaced’. We work with narrative-based circus using Aerial Straps, Aerial Hoop, […]

Artspace Lifespace is among more than 2,700 recipients to benefit from the latest round of awards from the £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund  This award will primarily cover the charities overheads but will also provide some support for core staff costs.  Artspace Lifespace has received a grant of £45,500 from the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture […]

As part of our continuing series profiling the brilliant people to make The Island tick, we sat down with Chloe from NotNow Studios for a (virtual) chat. Here’s what we found out… Tell us about your work? My studio is called Not Now Studio. I am a hand pulled screen printer. I share the space […]

It should not take a case of extreme violence for us to see that male violence permeates throughout our society – in our Government, our police, our workplaces, our nights out, and our individual actions. Throughout all these levels we need to make changes, so that no one feels the threat or result of male […]

In May 2018, Artpace Lifespace took over the meanwhile use management of Ashton Court Mansion, with the support of Bristol City Council, and with thanks to pro-bono support from Womble Bond Dickinson. Since taking on the Mansion, Artspace has been operating Ashton Court as an Arts Venue – the Arts Mansion. In 2019 we ran […]

2020 was not a normal year by any stretch of the imagination. The adaptability, tenacity, and extreme talent shown by each of our tenants was amazing to witness. In 2020 we moved to a digital format. You can look back at our online open studios event with a virtual tour of the building or check […]

From March 8th some of our team who have been furloughed will be able to return to work. Restrictions requiring staff to work from home where possible will however remain in place and we urge those who can stay at home to do so. From March 29th outdoor sport and leisure facilities will be permitted, […]

In October, FixX bikes bikes began a six-month residency of our Electric Cargo Bike. ⁠⁠FixX bikes are a social enterprise based in Hartcliffe who pre-pandemic were delivering bike mechanic workshops to young people in the area. At the start of the pandemic, FixX bikes began delivering meals in partnership with Heart of BS13 to residents […]

The Island is based on the site where the Central Police Station used to be. Also known as the Bridewell, it is a historic building on Nelson Street, Broadmead, Bristol, England. It was built in 1928 by Ivor Jones and Percy Thomas and opened as a police station in November 1930 near the site of […]

Our stunning Gallery Space is back and ready for you to exhibit your work.

We are overjoyed to be reopening the Dance Studio for classes after a period of closure, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We’re thrilled to, once again, host a variety of classes from some of the finest teachers and performers in our city. Rest assured, your safety remains our priority. We have put in place a […]

We are collecting responses on how you see the future: ‘The New Normal’. We’d be incredibly grateful if you could take the time to answer our questions. It shouldn’t take longer than 10 minutes. At the end of the survey, you can enter to win one of the Bread and Roses prints made at The […]

COVID 19 UPDATE – ARTSPACE LIFESPACE In order to protect the health and wellbeing of our staff, tenants, members and visitors, we have taken the difficult decision to cancel public events until further notice at all our Artspace Lifespace venues. We are cancelling public events at Ashton Court Mansion, Lockdown Venue at The Island, SPACE […]

Dear Island / Artspace Lifespace Community,  As the coronavirus (Covid-19) situation evolves, Artspace Lifespace has been closely monitoring developments locally and globally. We are committed to keeping our employees, our artists and our audiences safe. At this time, all of our spaces and offices remain open and we have no plans to close. All events […]

Artspace Lifespace and The Invisible Circus – one of only 12 applicants awarded Imagination funding in 2020-22.

The Island is the longest running project of Artspace Lifespace. We offer artist residency opportunities to develop specific or open-ended projects and to test works in progress.  For 2020 we have 9 residency opportunities across 3 rooms in The Island. 3 residencies in the Dance Space 3 residencies in the Gallery Space 3 residencies in […]