The Island

Arts facility and events space, based in Bristol City Centre

  • Front view of The Island building

Venue > The Island

Location info –
Nelson Street, Bristol, BS1 2BE
For full access information please download our accessibility document.

The Island

Nelson Street, Bristol, BS1 2BE

Get directions
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

  • Rebellion Regeneration Community Exhibition
    On 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 Update
    Along 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 review
    Queering 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 […]
  • 2021 – 2022 Impact Report
    Our annual Impact Report is now ready to view. Through a very intense period of time we’ve managed to keep running our three buildings, supporting artists by providing low cost creative spaces, holding residencies, exhibitions and events . The theme of our report is mycelium as they are connective and resilient. The network and foundation […]
  • Notice for an Annual General Meeting for Artspace Lifespace CIO
    NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the fourth Annual General Meeting of Artspace Lifespace will be held via zoom at 17:30 on Wednesday the 7th December to transact the following business. AGENDA Introductions and welcome from AGM Chair Anthony Elliot Apologies for absence Minutes of the previous AGM To be agreed and matters arising. Reports and accounts […]