WHAT WE DO

Artspace Lifespace is an arts charity managing unique venues to provide affordable spaces for artists to make, develop and showcase their work. We offer a mix of artists’ studios and space for exhibitions, filming, events, rehearsal and independent retail across our Bristol venues The Island, The Vestibules, Broadmead XP (The Galleries), Sparks Bristol and the Arts Mansion in North Somerset

Serving the Bristol arts community since 2006, we became a registered charity in 2016, specialising in revitalising forgotten spaces on a meanwhile basis. In addition to providing affordable room for artists, we provide consultancy to professionals such as architects, planners and developers who are committed to regeneration focused on community need. Any profits from earned income are reinvested back into sustaining the organisation and supporting our creative community.

We advocate strongly for the arts in the South West. Through our Residency Programme, the facilitation of network meetings and lobbying, we support individual artists and organisations across all sectors and art forms.

SPACES TO HIRE

We have a wide range of rooms to hire over our four buildings.

You might be looking for a large community meeting space in Sparks Bristol department store, grand rooms at the Arts Mansion or police cells at The Island. Take a look and help us to continue our charitable purpose of providing support and space to the creative community.

Whether it’s film locations, training spaces or messy art studios, we have the right room for you.

ARTSPACE RESIDENCIES

Artspace Lifespace offer residencies across our three projects, The Vestibules, Arts Mansion and The Island.

We are proud to support artists to develop new work. Applications for the 2024 residency programme are now open.

“My artspace lifespace residency at Sparks allowed me to carry out my workshops for my research in a relaxing and positive environment that echoes my values. Being able to use the space free of charge relieved a lot of financial pressure too.” – Ellen Edwards

See details of previous residencies

Artist Jennie Cave in her busy artist studio at The Island

COMMUNITY OF CREATIVES

This month’s Creative Spotlight is on Island studio holder Jennie Cave.

Jennie makes retro surreal collage influenced by life. She is inspired by the weird and wonderful world around us, her travels, and times gone by.

Jennie is one of the longest standing studio holders at The Island but is leaving us in October! She’s working on a commemorative poster design for our 15th Birthday celebrations, prints will be available at our 2023 Open Studios and online.

LATEST NEWS

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 […]

Artspace November 2023 Highlights

Three women in red dresses strike strong poses

We’re giving you Love Bites 🫦, Fire Ceremonies and art from Desert Communities across our venues this month.

Low Impact Events Design and Build

Interior of Sparks department store with a tree-like structure inside

From Santa’s grotto to a secret festival venue we all love a creative ‘pop-up’ event but what happens to the scenery once the lights go down? Due to its temporary nature the events industry is notoriously wasteful. While there’s a lot of work going on to reduce the majority of waste generated by food and […]

October 2023 Newsletter

A wide-eyed, smiling face drips to the side

October brings a Tango festival to Arts Mansion, an exhibition by UWE’s Unconventional Computing Lab and a 💩 load of electronica to The Island Venue.