How do I become a member?

If you are interested in Studio Upstairs, phone us on 0117 9300314 and arrange a visit. Come along and see the studio and then, if you decide you want to attend regularly, we will arrange a free of charge introduction day so that you get a real feel for the studio. You don't have to live in Bristol to attend. We have members from Bristol and a number of the surrounding counties.

For more information, follow this link: http://www.studioupstairs.org.uk/bristol/joinus-membership.htm

How do I get funding to attend the studio?

If you are already linked into Social Services, your Care Co-ordinator can refer you to Studio Upstairs and this can be approved as part of your care plan. In Bristol, the Care Co-ordinator needs approval of funding from their Team Manager. Details are then sent to the Planning and Commissioning Manager for the contract to be drawn up. In areas outside Bristol (BANES, South Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, North Somerset etc.) the Care Co-ordinator gets approval for funding from their Team Leader and draws up the contract.

For details of our current fees, please follow this link: http://www.studioupstairs.org.uk/bristol/joinus-membership.htm

If you self refer, we can arrange for you to be an Independent Member although we can only have a certain number of Independent Members in the studio. Fees are subject to individual financial circumstances. In some cases, we may help you obtain funding from charitable trusts

I'm interested in volunteering at the studio - what is available?

Various opportunities exist at different times for volunteers both in the studio as art assistants and in the studio office as administrative or fundraising assistants

To see what volunteers do, follow this link: http://www.studioupstairs.org.uk/bristol/joinus-volunteers.htm

If you wish to enquire about current volunteering opportunities, or express interest, please give us a call or send an e-mail

I'm a member of Studio Upstairs - can I come in any day of the week?

When you become a member, you are given a place on a particular day of the week. On that day you can come in, take breaks and leave any time you want to. You cannot swap days without previously agreeing this with the Studio Manager. Additional support is available when members are in crisis. .

I have seen a piece of artwork by a studio artist that I want to buy. Who do I contact?

Many pieces at the studio are available for sale and many artists will be happy to undertake a commission for you. We can arrange payment in installments if required. For all enquires regarding purchase of art, please contact Outreach Manager Nick Moore on Mondays or Tuesdays

Do you exhibit work?

Yes - you can see Studio Upstairs artists' work at our annual Open Exhibition organised in mid May. Individual artists also exhibit regularly in galleries in the South West

To make sure you don't miss out on exhibitions and music and poetry performances please join our mailing list follow this link: http://www.studioupstairs.org.uk/bristol/joinus-mailinglist.htm or check our website, where details of current exhibitions will be in the news section of the homepage. If you would like to include Studio Upstairs artists in your event, or wish to organise an exhibition in your gallery, please ring Outreach Manager Nick Moore on Mondays or Tuesdays to discuss details.

Is this art therapy that you provide?

Although the Studio Managers are all registered Art Therapists; there are no formal art therapy sessions. Individual therapeutic support can be provided if required, so that members can continue producing their artwork

Do I need to provide my own materials?

A wide range of artistic materials is provided free of charge in the studio. If you want to have additional materials for your artwork at home, we can order them for you at a reduced rate

Are there formal teaching sessions?

Learning in the studio is an individual and experimental process. Rather than being in organised groups with a planned programme and a designated facilitator, people produce their artwork and develop artistic skills through support from the managers, volunteers and other members. There is no formal marking or assessment but there are optional reviews where the work is discussed and commented on by the studio community. However, there are two-hour life-drawing sessions on alternate Saturdays, giving participants the opportunity to improve their drawing skills. These sessions are provided at a nominal fee for existing members wishing to participate. .