Features / Sponsored Feature
Fostering a culture of collaboration with Bristol’s creative industries
It is no secret that Bristol has a reputation as a creative city built around experimentation and collaboration. From a variety of community celebrations, renowned performance centres and music venues to world-famous street art and thousands of independent artists, the city is home to a rich creative culture that many seek to experience.
Sadly, following the national lockdowns, the creative sector has taken a huge hit. There is no doubt the impact of the pandemic will be felt for some time to come, with many small and independent arts organisations looking to rebuild.
However, the pandemic has also given us a rare chance to stand back and consider new opportunities for cross-collaboration between arts and business in the city; which has raised the question, could the development sector be doing more? Arts and culture are vital to placemaking and creating long-term value, but developers rarely take a long-term view to nurturing local artists and supporting organisations.
That’s why First Base, the mixed-use developer reviving the former Gardiner Haskins warehouse in Old Market, is committed to celebrating and supporting the recovery of the creative community through its landmark Soapworks scheme, both while it awaits redevelopment and in the longer term.
In Autumn 2020, the Soapworks was home to Centre of Gravity, a month-long exhibition spread across five floors of the grade-II listed building showcasing over 80 Bristol visual artists. The exhibition was a resounding success. We were pleased to showcase the diversity of Bristol’s arts and culture scene, to welcome more than 4,400 people and to engage in meaningful conversations about how we can support arts and culture alongside long term redevelopment.
The Soapworks will provide new space in the city to celebrate and showcase local arts and culture.© Sarah Koury www.kouryvindaloo.com
Unfortunately, Centre of Gravity sadly came to a close sooner than we would have liked, with the news of a second lockdown. However, First Base is committed to continuing its support for the creative sector during this challenging time for the industry.
The Soapworks will provide new space in the city to celebrate and showcase local arts and culture. First Base has been working up plans for a public arts strategy which, in consultation with local people and artists, will look to respond to the needs of the sector via innovative approaches to delivery and availability of space We will work closely with the One City Culture Board to align our plans to the ambition for a connected approach to protecting and delivering the cultural capital in Bristol.
Arts and culture have the power to inspire and revitalise our places – as Centre of Gravity has done for the Soapworks – supporting the city’s creative recovery and economic revival.
To find out more about the Soapworks scheme and keep up to date with the latest news, head to www.thesoapworksbristol.co.uk.
Main photo: Soapworks
Read more: Soapworks developer to cut its carbon emissions by more than a third
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
