Access is for everyone. Improving access to places and events in Bristol will help us all. We all have a part to play.

What is art + ride?

art + power have been working together with Bristol City Council and other leading arts organisations in Bristol to pioneer a partnership approach to arts and access. art + power and its partners are working to find new and creative ways of addressing the issue of access in Bristol.

Beginnings of art + ride

art + ride came to fruition after art + power commissioned a major piece of transport research in 2002. This study helped inform a range of projects and access initiatives. One of these has focused on creating art around the journeys people make on public transport.
art + power’s approach to access is based on two ideas:
· access is something that affects us all
· it is people that make all the difference
The group have worked closely with the city’s arts venues to hold focus groups and discussions. The aim of these discussions was to identify barriers to accessing art, and to come up with solutions. art + ride is the next step in the process. We aim to win the public’s support and ideas through displaying art on key bus routes and in the city centre.

Towards a creative and accessible Bristol

Poetry and visual artwork has been displayed inside buses, on bus shelters and advertising sites in the city. Project newsletters have been placed inside selected buses inviting people to share their ideas about arts and access and participate in helping to make Bristol a more creative and accessible city.
People can respond to art + power using a freepost address with their ideas and feedback. Those who do so will receive a free information pack and an art + power badge that they can wear to demonstrate their support for improving access to the arts.

art + power for everyone

The group want everyone to have some art + power in their lives and are always keen to hear from people who would like to share ideas or get involved.

For further information about how to get involved, or to learn about upcoming art + ride events, contact  info@artandpower.com