navigating Bristol’s art scene without breaking the bank

By Mia Jansa, Head of Illustration

Bristol is home to a diverse and ever-changing art scene which is a privilege to be immersed in, but as a student, it’s not always easy to know where to start, especially when on a budget. I spent a lot of time in my first year attending workshops and events, checking out different galleries and getting to know the different art communities. To save you the trial and error, Epigram has put together this student budget-friendly guide to the affordable and welcoming art spaces that Bristol is home to.

Bristol Museum and Art Gallery

Starting with art galleries, the University of Bristol campus is neighboured by two incredible sites. Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, located at the top of Park Street, was my go-to spot during first year when I had little knowledge of where to access art in the new city I had just moved to. Endless rooms of fine art and historical artifacts provided the perfect spot to visit at the end of my uni day. Either to just walk around or sit and sketch in the galleries. Plus, the entry is entirely free, perfect for a creative day out without breaking the bank.  

Royal West of England Academy (RWA)

Royal West of England Academy is another great spot to visit if you fancy a space that showcases both modern and historic art. The changing exhibitions throughout the year provides constant art inspiration and content. I found that this space brings light to creators who are not often seen in the major galleries, yet definitely belong in them. Located on Queens Road, this gallery is a lovely space which welcomes visitors with varying artistic taste. And once again, entry is free for students – just make sure to bring your student ID!

Arnolfini

Both are great options, however starting university comes hand in hand with meeting new people. This can be hard when you are just wandering around an art gallery. The Arnolfini by harbourside, is a great balance between professionally curated spaces and community participation. They follow in the financial accessibility route by making all exhibitions free.

Furthering their commitment to making the art world accessible to everyone, they also offer monthly portrait drawing classes. There isn’t a set price for tickets for the Portrait Club as it is a donate-what-you-can system. These classes are led by experts who offers support within the workshops, but attendees are encouraged to follow their own style and find inspiration from their fellow artists. I wish I had found this in first year as it would have saved endless time searching for a creative and social activity outside of societies and university life.

University of Bristol’s Art Society

I found it difficult to participate in anything that wasn’t directly linked to my studies in first year, which also included society-based activities. The Art Society was the first and only social I attended and stuck with. I first went on my own, hoping to make friends – which I did, as everyone is incredibly warm and welcoming – but I fell in love with having an activity that wasn’t my pre-reading or going clubbing.

Their socials offer many activities such as decorating t-shirts or making collages, the ideal way to fill your weeknights with creativity while meeting likeminded artists. For more relaxed and possibly sober options, the art society host life drawing classes, encouraging those who attend to engage with the human form. I found that it was a great way to ground myself during term time, as it was time away from my studies and my phone, both of which contribute to the never-ending stress of university life. This society makes it their mission to promote aspiring artists as they curate an annual student exhibition. Anyone can submit their art and have it on display, a beautiful opportunity to gain experience and recognition for your talent!

Local artists

I would highly encourage you to keep an eye out for artists who showcase their art in less conventional ways, such as Minnim, a local graphic designer and DJ, capitalising on the lively music scene to display their art through event posters. Their recent satirical postcards feature 1950s-60s gender stereotypes and at times misogynistic themes, each one redesigned by Minnim to highlight the controversial messages that were proudly advocating for at the time of their original release yet also can be relevant in our current world.

These themes continue into Minnim’s stamp collection. Many of these pieces I found incredibly entertaining as the designs pair controversial headlines with humorous images, once again turning out of date ideas into satirical yet aesthetic art. All of these pieces can be seen on their Instagram page, @minnim_graphixx.