Sparks Bristol
An innovative hub of sustainability, creativity and education in the heart of Bristol.
Sparks Bristol
An innovative hub of sustainability, creativity and education in the heart of Bristol.
About:
Sparks Bristol is an innovative hub of sustainability, creativity and education in the heart of Bristol, opening in 2023.
Where:
Sparks Bristol will be situated inside Bristol’s old M&S building in Broadmead.
When:
Opening to the public in Spring 2023!
Get involved:
A hub of arts & sustainability
Global Goals Centre and Artspace Lifespace are delighted to announce that they will be working together to create an exciting new arts and sustainability hub in Broadmead – Sparks Bristol. The ambition is to create a vibrant, positive venue where local people and visitors can shop, recycle and explore what a greener, fairer and creative future could look like, breathing new life into the old M&S building on a ‘meanwhile use’ basis until the site is redeveloped. The site will aim to open to the public in Spring 2023 with the ambition of running this pilot initiative for at least six months.
What will the Centre look like?
Artspace Lifespace, the creators of Bristol’s ‘The Island’, will focus on developing the upper floors for office and creative space, while the Global Goals Centre will work in partnership with local schools, community groups, universities and many other organisations and businesses to co-create a hub of sustainability, innovation and creativity on the public-facing ground floor.
The building will be used as a hub for local artists including an artist R&D space, as well as a reuse shop providing recycled goods, repair and education projects for schools. There will be installations, stalls and workshops to demonstrate how to take easy (and often money-saving) actions on climate, equality and wellbeing – the themes of the Sustainable Development Goals.
How can I be part of this?
This is a unique opportunity to bring together organisations and individuals from across the city to pilot new ways in which the heart of Bristol could change to better serve our community and address the climate and ecological and cost of living crises. We are looking for partners and sponsors for this project and welcome public support from all parts of the community. Get in touch today to register your interest.
How can Sparks benefit Bristol?
- Helping address the climate and ecological emergencies and net zero 2030 city targets – upskilling the public in repair and reuse enables them to save money and resources longer term, vital in the current cost of living crisis. Sparks will help green the city to reach climate and ecological targets and improve health and wellbeing.
- Addressing climate anxiety and educating and upskilling young people – there is currently little space within the school curriculum to address the climate crisis and inequalities – real issues that impact childrens’ wellbeing and future. Now there is a huge demand for beyond curriculum input, which Sparks will provide.
- Providing affordable space for local artists and culture groups – there is a chronic lack of affordable space for artists in Bristol, meaning many artists are forced to leave the city or are unable to work. Bristol’s vibrant and diverse culture is central to the quality of life of those of us who live and work here and integral to the future economic prosperity of the entire region.
“We are feeling really inspired by our upcoming partnership with Global Goals Centre and the opportunity to showcase tangible, positive alternatives, a centre where people can come to dream, learn practical tools and collectively devise a greener, fairer and more creative future for everyone.”
Kathryn Chiswell Jones – Company Manager at Artspace Lifespace
“This is a unique opportunity to bring together organisations and individuals from across the city to pilot new ways in which the heart of Bristol could change to better serve our community and address the climate and ecological and cost of living crises.“
Jenny Foster – Project Lead at Global Goals Centre
“Artspace Lifespace and the Global Goals Centre are two great local organisations and I’m glad that they’ll be putting both arts and sustainability at the heart of re-animating the space. I look forward to seeing the new hub open in Spring 2023.”
Marvin Rees – Mayor of Bristol
Delivery partners
With thanks to the following organisations for supporting this project by providing pro-bono advice. We are looking for other partners and sponsors for this project and welcome public support. You can register your interest as an organisation, or individual through the link below.
We need your help!
Though we hope to use all donated and recycled materials in creating Sparks, as you can imagine it will take a lot of people power! We value any donation towards helping us create this new space; every donation demonstrates buy-in and support for the project, so no donation is too small! Thank you so much for your support.
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