History

art + power was established by a group of disabled artists and their support staff from a Day Centre in Bristol. Launched in 1997 at Watershed art + power received its first major funding in 1998 as part of a ground-breaking European Social Fund project. This enabled us to start up the company and move to St Werburghs Community Centre in Bristol. art + power became independent in 2001 through a service agreement with Bristol City Council that confirmed the group’s status as a key arts provider to the city.

Although this initial funding came indirectly from the Social Services Department of Bristol City Council the only regular funding we receive comes from the arts unit – we have received no Social Services funding since 2004 and have successfully raised the remainder of our funding from a variety of sources, most notably Arts Council England, SW.

With the support of Arts Council England we have been able to develop the company into a professional arts organisation. This transformation became complete in 2005 with the adoption of a new staffing structure and the recruitment of an exciting new staff team.

In 2006 art + power moved into its current premises at Spike Island bringing our activities together and putting art + power firmly on the map of leading City Centre arts organisations. Shortly after moving to Spike Island art + power launched its new Professional Arts Support Scheme – a ground breaking project which aims to act as a launch pad for the careers of disabled artists and actors.