We are grateful to have received an offer to remain part of Arts Council England’s National Portfolio for 2023–26. In challenging times, this funding brings much-needed financial security to our organisation and enables us to focus on our key commitments for the coming years. 

Having received this positive news, we are now turning to how Spike Island can continue to deliver on its mission within the context of an increasingly challenging economic climate for artists and arts organisations.

We aim to continue to deliver an ambitious and high-quality artistic programme for audiences from all backgrounds, including free major exhibitions by emerging and underrepresented UK-based and international artists. It also means that our public programmes, engagement activities and local community partnerships will continue to provide high-quality, relevant and accessible experiences for audiences and participants from all backgrounds, both in-person and online, reducing barriers to engagement so that we can better reflect the communities we serve. 

We strive to continue supporting a more dynamic and resilient visual arts community in our region through new commissions, subsidised artists’ studios, and a sector-leading artist development programme, enabling artists from all backgrounds to develop their practices, build their networks and gain new skills. We will also continue to lead and meet the key objectives of the West of England Visual Arts Alliance programme (2020–24) together with our co-lead partner Visual Arts South West, including developing a legacy strategy so that this vital work remains embedded in Spike Island’s core activities in future. 

We would like to take this opportunity to thank our entire community for their support over recent years, and are looking ahead with enthusiasm to a more secure future. We would also like to extend our solidarity to the many valued organisations who have been unsuccessful in their applications this time around.

See what we have planned in our programme.

For further information please contact Jane Faram, Interim Communications Manager at Spike Island on jane.faram@spikeisland.org.uk or +44 (0)117 9292266.