Art / jamaica street studios
Studios to be brought into community ownership after successful crowdfunder
Secure community ownership for Jamaica Street Studios (JSS) is a huge step closer after a successful crowdfunder saw 1037 supporters pledge £107k in just 42 days.
This should enable JSS to provide the requisite ‘match funding’ for the 500k they have already secured to save the Grade II listed heritage building, ensuring they can continue to provide affordable studio space for local artists.
“We enable many professional artists to successfully work and develop as full-time practitioners of local, national, and international renown,” they say.
is needed now More than ever
“Our studio has supported artists who create the murals you see in the city, paintings and prints you buy, events you attend, films you watch, books you read and music you listen to – the creativity that makes Bristol and beyond vibrant.”
Dave Bain in his studio – photo: Ruby Turner
Among the diversity of talent currently making work from JSS are award-winning sculptor Dorcas Casey, illustrator and muralist Dave Bain, painter Andrew Hood, and ‘silly billy illustrator’ and cult tee-shirt designer Christopher Wright, aka Turbo Island.
In 2023, JSS were able to open KIT FORM, a multi-use, creative ground floor space for exhibitions, events, talks, music, live art and film screenings.
Turbo Island tees displayed at KIT FORM, Jamaica Street Studios – photo: Jodie Welton
Unlocking the next chapter of the building is an exciting moment for the development of this space in particular, providing an important community hub and helping to secure a ‘city-wide presence’ for JSS as an accessible centre for the arts within Bristol.
Rosie Bowery is the studio manager at JSS. “We have been totally blown away by the support we have received during our Crowdfunder campaign,” she admits.
“Bristolians, and those further afield, have been so incredibly generous. There’s a real understanding in this city of how important community, creativity, and spaces are. Our neighbours over at Mickey Zoggs have also been fundraising to save their space, and have also seen an enormous outpouring of support. What an amazing, powerful thing.”
Indeed, just down the road from JSS, near neighbours Mickey Zoggs – home to Noods Radio – are also engaged in a crowdfunder to help save their building, and protect the future of both the radio and their raft of associated community projects.
These include: ‘a programme to help women and non-binary individuals get into broadcasting; hosting roughly 230 artists each month from the pub on the radio; and launching a number of initiatives that help young people gain the skills and experience needed to enter the creative industries’.
At the time of writing, the Zoggs team are approaching 70 per cent of their £70k target, with less than two weeks to go. The money raised will go towards a deposit to buy the venue and avoid it going into the hands of developers.
Follow @jamaicastreetstudios to find out about news and upcoming events at the building.
To help secure a home for @noodsradio and @mickeyzoggs, access the crowdfunder here.
Main photo: Alice Hendy
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