Bath Spa University employs a Creative and Cultural Development Officer whose role connects local people with creative businesses to benefit the region.

Since the Creative and Cultural Development Officer joined us in May 2022, the position has fostered connections between initiatives such as Bath Bridge Arts Hub, Bath with North East Somerset One Shared Vision Creative and Cultural Strand and West of England Compound Authority Cultural Compact, created new collaborations, and gathered all to add collective value, thereby ensuring that Bath and the wider region gain the national and international recognition required to prosper.

The purpose has been to make it easier for people to access the arts for free, to secure spaces for artists to create and showcase work, and to open up access to funding. We’ve also connected freelancers and emerging small organisations with larger, established companies to support them developmentally.

To date, two new community arts spaces have been created. These support creativity in Twerton and Radstock, providing valuable resources for these communities.

Creative Twerton 

The project to redevelop two long-term vacant and boarded-up shops and bring them back into use is being run on the ground by Little Lost Robot CIC in partnership with Bath and North East Somerset Council High Street Regeneration Team, Creativity Works and Youth Connect South West. 

A local team, including Twerton residents, is leading the work to improve the spaces and make them welcoming and attractive. The project is the first step in enhancing Twerton High Street as part of the Local High Street Improvement Project.

What does the space offer? 

  • Affordable maker spaces and exhibition spaces for local artists, including students and art graduates from local colleges and Bath Spa University.
  • Free art and other activities for local people. Access to WiFi and computers, after-school activities, food and a warm bank.
  • Sessions to help focus and develop skills and discover pathways into further education, training, employment and other opportunities.

“This space demonstrates the strong impact of arts and community engagement on the well-being of a community andoffers vital services for those in need. It enables members of each community to spend time creating together for free.” Ruby Sant

Creative Twerton is possible thanks to the support of West of England Combined Authorities Love our High Streets Fund, Community Support Fund and the High Street Recovery Fund, with in-kind support from Bath Spa University.

Would you like to get involved?

Little Lost Robot would love to speak with graduates or emerging artists looking to run creative workshop sessions or for space to make work. If you’d like to get involved, volunteer or work with them, please contact Juliet at Little Lost Robot.  

Found out more about Little Lost Robot

Radstock Community Development Support

Bath Spa University is working with Radstock Town Council, Youth Connect South West, Bath with North East Somerset high street renewal team and Creativity Works to support the development of a new arts and community space in the centre of Radstock.

We're running outreach arts engagement projects for parents and carers to rebuild creative portfolios and support the transition into working in the arts. We're also working with 15 to 19-year-olds working through grief to co-design a large stone memorial bench.

These projects are funded by the West of England Combined Authorities (WECA) Community Support Fund.

In addition, Bath Spa University is working with Radstock Town Council to develop the business and engagement plan for Trinity Methodist Church, including bringing in Bath Spa Architecture students to create the designs.