Sadness as leading cultural organisation announces closure after 30 years

A leading cultural organisation which was instrumental in the creation of We The Curious and M Shed and led many city-wide projects and festivals has announced it will close in May 2024.

Bristol Ideas, called Bristol Cultural Development Partnership until it rebranded in March 2021, and its projects have seen over £130m invested in Bristol.

With historian, commentator and broadcaster David Olusoga its patron, it describes itself as “a leading organisation for public debate and learning, creating conversations between the world’s best writers, thinkers and artists”.

It was central for initiatives including Bristol Legible City and European Green Capital 2015 and was responsible for Encounters Film Festival, Festivals of Ideas, Festivals of Economics and Festivals of the Future City.

The organisation started work in 1993 in four main areas: making the case for Bristol; building the case for the partnership and partnership working; establishing at least one core project; and leading on the cultural redevelopment of the harbour.

Bristol Ideas will host its 12th and final Festival of Economics in November – photo: Jon Craig

In November 2022, Bristol Ideas was among those whose applications for Arts Council funding was rejected.

A spokesperson said: “Bristol Ideas has not been immune to the difficulties facing the cultural sector.

“The pandemic lockdowns affected programming and fundraising significantly; core funding – always a small, but critical part of Bristol Ideas – has been reduced; and sponsorship, which has supported many projects over 30 years, is more difficult to secure.”

Bristol Ideas chairs Suzanne Rolt and Simone Cook added: “We have achieved much in 30 years and are proud of what Bristol Ideas has done.”

“We might be closing, but the work goes on.

“We are grateful for the support we have received from many partners, funders, and sponsors; for the partnership working with all the organisations and people in and outside the city; and most of all to our board and small staff team – past and present – who led our many achievements and worked hard to make them happen.”

It’s been wonderful working with the Bristol Ideas team this year on all things comms. The organisation and its festivals will be a huge loss to Bristol, and this decision shows what a tough time it is for the cultural sector. The team is incredible… hire them! https://t.co/ReSXmNeT8x

— Freya Parr (@FreyaParr) October 6, 2023

Reacting to the news on X, formerly known as Twitter, Watershed said: We are so sorry to hear this news. You have been a brilliant partner of ours for many years – we deeply value your contribution to the city and all the incredible events, guests & speakers you have supported and championed, and the audiences you have brought into our building.”

Cinema Rediscovered added: “Such sad news… we’ve loved collaborating with the @bristolideas team on joint programmes such as Black Paris and William Friese-Greene and participating in publications such as Opening Up the Magic Box. Our thoughts are with the team at this difficult time.”

Bristol Ideas confirmed its 2023 programme – Festival of the Future City and Festival of Economics – will go ahead as planned and there will be a final festival in April 2024.

Main photo: Evan Dawson

Read next:

• Bristol’s radical festival of ideas to return for 2023
• Winners and losers across Bristol in latest Arts Council funding
• Bristol arts organisation to close ‘due to funding cuts’

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