Based in a city region of enterprise, innovation and diversity, The Arts Society Bristol seeks to enhance and extend enjoyment of the arts through rigorously selected lecturers and local volunteering, backed by a national team of specialist support.
We are a member society of The Arts Society (which is the operating name of the National Association of Decorative and Fine Arts Societies (aka NADFAS)).
Members attend our local monthly lectures (September through May) on a wide range of subjects - from Banksy and Botticelli to Tigers in Arts via Prehistoric Potters - given by accredited experts, and we usually organise 2 Study Days a year and visits (UK and foreign), all of which tend to book up rather quickly. We have a variety of arts-related volunteering projects; we are particularly proud of our Heritage, Church Recording and Youth projects.
Our Bristol Society lectures are on the evening of the 2nd Tuesday of the month (September through May) and are held at Redmaids' High (Westbury on Trym). Doors open at 7:00pm, lecture starts promptly at 7:30pm.Lectures are open to all members of The Arts Society Bristol and we welcome guests for a small donation. Please notify guest names (via our Contact Us form).
See here for our 2024-25 programme.
Redmaids' High Details: Click here for Google map of Redmaids' High. And here for Site Plan.
Our membership year runs from 1 July to 30 June and the annual subscription, currently £52, includes membership of the national Society with their excellent magazines (posted directly to members) and their additional online lectures and newsletters.
Click here for more details.
As a charity, we also participate in local arts-related projects.
We have been involved with Bristol Cathedral's textile renovations for several years (click here to see our volunteers at work).
We have also funded various projects for school children, including 'Shakespeare in Schools' and 'artbytes' and are always interested in taking on new projects. We also have an ongoing Chuch Recording project at Trinity in Stapleton.