SAVE JAMAICA STREET STUDIOS

THIS IS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF BRISTOL

We have been given the incredible chance to buy the home of Jamaica Street studios; 37 - 39 Jamaica Street, Stokes Croft, Bristol! 

We have a one-off opportunity to purchase it, and if we can’t, the building will go on the open market.

We are thrilled to have already secured £500,400 from the Community Ownership Fund towards the building purchase. We now need YOUR help to raise the ‘match funding’ to unlock it!

Securing this funding will mean we are well on our way to being able to purchase our home of over 30 years.

Bringing Jamaica Street Studios into community ownership will allow us to save these incredible studios and we also have a vision...

We recently opened our ground floor space, called KIT FORM. It's a creative space for everyone  - with a diverse programme of exhibitions, music, workshops, and screenings in the heart of Stokes Croft. We believe that art and creativity is for everyone.

We want to expand this programme of exhibitions and events. This will increase access to the arts and provide a place for artists to exhibit in a welcoming, and thriving space in central Bristol.

Our purchase will secure a legacy of community ownership, continue what we’ve begun with KIT FORM, and keep the studios affordable for future artists.

WHO WE ARE

Jamaica Street Studios is a well-known affordable studio in Bristol; a home to artists with high-quality practices for over 30 years. We have over 35 artists here who are sculptors, illustrators, painters, filmmakers, photographers, and more. 

We enable many professional artists to successfully work and develop as full time practitioners of local, national, and international renown.

Our studio has supported artists who create the murals you see in the city, paintings & 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.

WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT

• Your pledge will enable us to raise 'match funding' for the £500k we have already secured. If we don’t reach our funding target we will struggle to secure any further donations or investments from a number of key sources.
  
  
• You’ll be preventing the loss of an integral part of the unique and exciting culture that makes Bristol the city it is.
  
  
• You’ll be supporting the provision of an inviting, accessible, and creative space, open to everyone. KIT FORM will be part of the community infrastructure, particularly important in the surrounding area of high deprivation.
  
  
• You’ll help us save a Grade II listed heritage building, keeping it in community ownership to share with everyone.
  
  
• You’ll be helping us to expand our community engagement programme; build even better relationships with our local community, break down barriers and increase access to the arts: making JSS an arts and heritage space in Stokes Croft, with a city wide presence.
  
  
• You’ll help ensure we can continue to provide affordable studio space for emerging and established artists of the future. There is already a lack of studios and art spaces in the city.

OUR FUTURE PLANS FOR THE BUILDING

We have been working with the award-winning LHC Architects to draw up plans for the future of 37 - 39 Jamaica Street.

We will invest in the building; improve environmental performance, respect and restore its heritage features, and make it accessible and fit for purpose as a public building. Our mission is to make it even more of an integral part of the community infrastructure, particularly important in our area of high deprivation. 

This means more events, exhibitions, talks, screenings, workshops, music, performances for everyone to enjoy.

Jamaica Street Studios is a 'Community Interest Company', which means we can only use our assets to fulfil our not-for-profit aims of providing affordable studio spaces and expanding access to the arts.

WHAT WE HAVE DONE SO FAR

Since we were given the opportunity to buy our building, we have started finalising our plans. This has included writing funding bids, negotiating, and developing plans that will secure this building for our community. We’ve crossed the t’s and dotted the i’s.

We have had a condition and structural survey, worked with LHC Architects on our RIBA Stage 0-1 feasibility report, and written a detailed Business Plan - we’re ready for this.

If we don't make our target, the reality is, our project is in serious jeopardy. We only have one year to complete the building purchase. If we don't suceed, we lose our grant and this building goes on the open market.

PLEDGE REWARDS 

The rewards on offer have been put together by our amazing studio holders, and include bespoke commissions, workshops, original artworks, and… Snooker final tickets!

We have a range of reward prices from £8 all the way up to £10,000. & if none of our rewards take your fancy, you can simply donate.

THANK YOU

Whatever form it takes, your support and contributions will be hugely appreciated. You can support the project by: 

• Pledging - however large or small, every bit counts
• Sharing our Crowdfunder campaign on social media 
• Telling your friends and spreading the word

Your help will be invaluable to us.
Let's make this happen!
Thank you for your support

Below is a selection of work from each of our studio holders. It is not a direct representation of the rewards on offer (except for Dorcas Casey), but gives you a great idea of each artist's work.

If you have any questions about our studios, campaign or rewards please get in touch with Rosie on [email protected]