Bishopston & Ashley Down is an area proud of its varied and vibrant culture. From Window Wanderland to amateur dramatics, the North Bristol Arts Trail to live music along Gloucester Road, our area is one of the leading lights in Bristol’s cultural scene. Within the Bristol Labour manifesto, we detail how a Labour Mayor and Council will work to build upon the great culture that our area and Bristol as a whole has:

• Improve access to, and participation in, the arts, sports and culture. To do this we will actively promote and support creativity and innovation across all city communities, encourage community arts and sports events (as well as city centre projects) and ensure that Council-funded organisations work with communities across the whole city to increase participation.
• Ensure that Bristol has 21^st century library facilities. This will involve turning libraries into community hubs offering information, digital access and expert advice. We will also complete the Bristol North Baths project.
• Lead a first class bid to become the next European Capital of Culture.
• Complete the Arena. We will enable it to be accessible to all communities and will ensure that it generates jobs and apprenticeships for local people whilst working to solve transport concerns.
• Work with Bristol’s media to improve plurality and diversity.
• Celebrate equality and diversity. We will support Bristol Pride, St. Paul’s Carnival and other local festivals. Similarly we will ensure that the governance of all Council-funded arts organisations is properly representative of the whole city.
• Preserve and develop our cultural heritage. We will review the way in which Bristol’s museums, galleries and cultural sites are looked after, developed and promoted. Furthermore, we will promote best practice in the commissioning, design and planning of buildings across the city.
• Recognise our complex past. The legacies of industrial innovation, cultural creativity, trade and slavery have all contributed towards creating our city. We will encourage education and understanding of the way Bristol’s past shapes its present. We will also support the Bristol Aerospace Centre and promote pride in Bristol’s scientific and technological achievements. Finally, we will develop policies that foreground Bristol’s role in Science, Technology, Black History, LGBT issues, Media and Music.
• Encourage and sustain a high level of musical and arts education across all communities in the city.
• Support excellence. We will work in partnership with Bristol’s cultural institutions such as Colston Hall, the Watershed, Bristol Old Vic, Spike Island, Royal West of England Academy, the Arnolfini and St. George’s to ensure that Bristol remains a city where the arts thrive and where excellence is rewarded.

Bristol’s well known thriving culture is central to not only our future as a city but to the way Bristolians feel about where they live. We want to be fully reflective of the city in all its diversity including, but also going beyond, the city centre, and want to celebrate, support and develop the cultural scene across all city areas and communities. You can read more about our plans in this and other areas in our manifesto by clicking here clicking here.