The Island
Arts facility and events space, based in Bristol City Centre
Venue > The Island
- Location info – Show map
- Nelson Street, Bristol, BS1 2BE
- For full access information please download our accessibility document.
- Opening times
- Monday to Friday: 10am – 10pm
- Weekends: 10am – 5pm
- Contacts
- Call: 0117 376 3457
- Email: info@theisland.uk
See individual venues for features and hire rates.
Watch The Island documentary 2015 (12:30)
Multi-use creative spaces
We are a studio complex, arts facility and events space, based in the Old Bridewell Police Station in Bristol city centre.
The Island is part of Artspace Lifespace. The charity recycles vacant, underused and problem properties into thriving creative resources. We host over 100 resident artists and boast a Circus Training Space, Dance Studio, artist studios, music studios, and a spacious art gallery.
Covid notice
We encourage people to wear masks in our buildings and ask that people do not visit if they feel unwell.
Get in touch with info@theisland.uk for our full COVID safety measures.
Venues at The Island
Dance Space
The Dance Space runs a wide variety of classes and training sessions as well as being available for private hire.
Circus Training Space
The Island Circus Training Space offers many classes in circus-related disciplines, including silks, rope, aerial hoop, trapeze and acro yoga.
Gallery Space
A beautiful large white and bright hireable gallery space with lantern ceiling and ancillary room located on the first floor of The Island.
The Island Venue
The licensed venue is available to host immersive performance, talks, exhibition and nightclub events.
Island Artist Studios
Work along side like minded creative people
Latest news
- Alaric Hobbs – Residency ReviewArtist Alaric Hobbs is interested in how politics affects our built environment and surroundings. Following his residency at The Vestibules, and subsequent exhibition at Centrespace Gallery, Artspace Lifespace caught up with him to chat about his work and the experience of holding a solo exhibition. ASLS: Hi Alaric, your recent exhibition explores themes of hostile […]
- Sparks Bristol LaunchSparks Bristol – Putting the Art back in Department Stores On the 13th May, in partnership with Global Goals Centre, we launched Sparks Bristol, the groundbreaking project that merges art, education, shopping, and sustainability. Revitalising the old Marks and Spencers building in the heart of Broadmead. The grand opening witnessed an incredible turnout of over […]
- Rebellion Regeneration Community ExhibitionOn the 10th and 11th March 2023 2nd year fine art students from The Bristol School of Art will present their exhibition inspired by the history of The Island. We caught up with contributing artist Jeanette Read to find out more… Q, How did the idea of an exhibition based around The Island building come […]
- Sparks Bristol UpdateAlong with our partner Global Goals Centre we’ve been busy at our new project, Sparks Bristol, getting our heads around all the things that come with taking on a new building such intruder alarms, access keys and codes, plumbing and some urgent repairs. We were delighted that the community champions came to take a look […]
- Queering Masculinity reviewQueering Masculinity was a week long exhibition with Brook Tate & Daniel DeWolfe at The Island gallery with a series of workshops and performances running alongside. Both Brook and Daniel grew up as Jehovah’s Witnesses and use their work to explore identity and sexuality. Our inclusion officer Caroline Thake was in the audience for the […]