Instagram Story Viewer

This summer, Arnolfini presents 'Against the Tide' — a powerful new exhibition by documentary photographer Polly Braden, created in collaboration with young people living in coastal towns across England and Wales.

Developed over the course of a year alongside journalist Lisa Bachelor as part of The Guardian’s 'Seascape' series, the exhibition brings together intimate portraits and first-hand testimony from a generation navigating inequality, isolation, resilience and hope.

Featuring stories from places including Weston-super-Mare, Scarborough, Grimsby, Portsmouth, Rhyl and Blackpool, 'Against the Tide' challenges the narratives often associated with coastal Britain, revealing communities full of creativity, ambition and possibility.

🗓️Opening 27 June.
🎟️Preview event: Friday 26 June from 5pm
RSVP via the link in bio.

This summer, Arnolfini presents 'Against the Tide' — a powerful new exhibition by documentary photographer Polly Braden, created in collaboration with young people living in coastal towns across England and Wales.

Developed over the course of a year alongside journalist Lisa Bachelor as part of The Guardian’s 'Seascape' series, the exhibition brings together intimate portraits and first-hand testimony from a generation navigating inequality, isolation, resilience and hope.

Featuring stories from places including Weston-super-Mare, Scarborough, Grimsby, Portsmouth, Rhyl and Blackpool, 'Against the Tide' challenges the narratives often associated with coastal Britain, revealing communities full of creativity, ambition and possibility.

🗓️Opening 27 June.
🎟️Preview event: Friday 26 June from 5pm
RSVP via the link in bio.

This summer, Arnolfini presents 'Against the Tide' — a powerful new exhibition by documentary photographer Polly Braden, created in collaboration with young people living in coastal towns across England and Wales.

Developed over the course of a year alongside journalist Lisa Bachelor as part of The Guardian’s 'Seascape' series, the exhibition brings together intimate portraits and first-hand testimony from a generation navigating inequality, isolation, resilience and hope.

Featuring stories from places including Weston-super-Mare, Scarborough, Grimsby, Portsmouth, Rhyl and Blackpool, 'Against the Tide' challenges the narratives often associated with coastal Britain, revealing communities full of creativity, ambition and possibility.

🗓️Opening 27 June.
🎟️Preview event: Friday 26 June from 5pm
RSVP via the link in bio.

This summer at Arnolfini, 'Held' by Jonathan Baldock transforms the galleries into a colourful, immersive wilderness of nature, folklore and care.

Known for his striking installations combining ceramics, textiles, sound and scent, Baldock creates environments shaped by traditional craft, myth and personal history. At the centre of 'Held' is a monumental wild bear sculpture, alongside a series of works that blur the boundaries between the human and natural worlds — from floral forms with faces to ceremonial figures that welcome visitors into the space.

Sound by Luke Barton and a custom scent by Lora Hemy deepen the experience, making 'Held' a fully sensory environment that invites visitors to slow down, connect and reflect.

🗓️Opening 27 June.
🎟️Preview event: Friday 26 June from 5pm
RSVP via the link in bio.

This summer at Arnolfini, 'Held' by Jonathan Baldock transforms the galleries into a colourful, immersive wilderness of nature, folklore and care.

Known for his striking installations combining ceramics, textiles, sound and scent, Baldock creates environments shaped by traditional craft, myth and personal history. At the centre of 'Held' is a monumental wild bear sculpture, alongside a series of works that blur the boundaries between the human and natural worlds — from floral forms with faces to ceremonial figures that welcome visitors into the space.

Sound by Luke Barton and a custom scent by Lora Hemy deepen the experience, making 'Held' a fully sensory environment that invites visitors to slow down, connect and reflect.

🗓️Opening 27 June.
🎟️Preview event: Friday 26 June from 5pm
RSVP via the link in bio.

This summer at Arnolfini, 'Held' by Jonathan Baldock transforms the galleries into a colourful, immersive wilderness of nature, folklore and care.

Known for his striking installations combining ceramics, textiles, sound and scent, Baldock creates environments shaped by traditional craft, myth and personal history. At the centre of 'Held' is a monumental wild bear sculpture, alongside a series of works that blur the boundaries between the human and natural worlds — from floral forms with faces to ceremonial figures that welcome visitors into the space.

Sound by Luke Barton and a custom scent by Lora Hemy deepen the experience, making 'Held' a fully sensory environment that invites visitors to slow down, connect and reflect.

🗓️Opening 27 June.
🎟️Preview event: Friday 26 June from 5pm
RSVP via the link in bio.

To mark the end of Mounira Al Solh: A Land As Big As Her Skin, we’re sharing 'Remaking Myths': a zine created through a series of community workshops at Arnolfini.

Inspired by the exhibition, participants explored how myths live in our everyday lives: in family stories, cultural tales, memories, superstitions, neighbourhoods and shared experiences. Together they reimagined, reclaimed and retold myths that belong to them.

Created with Art in Motion, Hawkspring, creativeShift, and members of the public through our Community Workshop, the zine brings together a powerful collection of personal stories, drawings and reflections.

Copies of the zine can be explored in our Reading Room on Level 2 of Arnolfini.

Thank you to everyone who took part and shared their creativity and imaginations with us throughout the exhibition.

To mark the end of Mounira Al Solh: A Land As Big As Her Skin, we’re sharing 'Remaking Myths': a zine created through a series of community workshops at Arnolfini.

Inspired by the exhibition, participants explored how myths live in our everyday lives: in family stories, cultural tales, memories, superstitions, neighbourhoods and shared experiences. Together they reimagined, reclaimed and retold myths that belong to them.

Created with Art in Motion, Hawkspring, creativeShift, and members of the public through our Community Workshop, the zine brings together a powerful collection of personal stories, drawings and reflections.

Copies of the zine can be explored in our Reading Room on Level 2 of Arnolfini.

Thank you to everyone who took part and shared their creativity and imaginations with us throughout the exhibition.

To mark the end of Mounira Al Solh: A Land As Big As Her Skin, we’re sharing 'Remaking Myths': a zine created through a series of community workshops at Arnolfini.

Inspired by the exhibition, participants explored how myths live in our everyday lives: in family stories, cultural tales, memories, superstitions, neighbourhoods and shared experiences. Together they reimagined, reclaimed and retold myths that belong to them.

Created with Art in Motion, Hawkspring, creativeShift, and members of the public through our Community Workshop, the zine brings together a powerful collection of personal stories, drawings and reflections.

Copies of the zine can be explored in our Reading Room on Level 2 of Arnolfini.

Thank you to everyone who took part and shared their creativity and imaginations with us throughout the exhibition.

To mark the end of Mounira Al Solh: A Land As Big As Her Skin, we’re sharing 'Remaking Myths': a zine created through a series of community workshops at Arnolfini.

Inspired by the exhibition, participants explored how myths live in our everyday lives: in family stories, cultural tales, memories, superstitions, neighbourhoods and shared experiences. Together they reimagined, reclaimed and retold myths that belong to them.

Created with Art in Motion, Hawkspring, creativeShift, and members of the public through our Community Workshop, the zine brings together a powerful collection of personal stories, drawings and reflections.

Copies of the zine can be explored in our Reading Room on Level 2 of Arnolfini.

Thank you to everyone who took part and shared their creativity and imaginations with us throughout the exhibition.

Another half term wrapped 🎨✨

This week, families stepped into the world of The Arnolfini Portrait by Jan van Eyck, exploring hidden meanings, reflections, colour, and storytelling through art 🪞

From bilateral mirror drawings and collaborative portraits to collage-making, dressing up, and recreating scenes from the painting, it was amazing to see so many creative ideas come to life. Swipe through to see some of the brilliant work created during the sessions 💛

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us!

Our We Are Family sessions are always free drop-in workshops, and we’ll be back again in the summer holidays this August ☀️

Another half term wrapped 🎨✨

This week, families stepped into the world of The Arnolfini Portrait by Jan van Eyck, exploring hidden meanings, reflections, colour, and storytelling through art 🪞

From bilateral mirror drawings and collaborative portraits to collage-making, dressing up, and recreating scenes from the painting, it was amazing to see so many creative ideas come to life. Swipe through to see some of the brilliant work created during the sessions 💛

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us!

Our We Are Family sessions are always free drop-in workshops, and we’ll be back again in the summer holidays this August ☀️

Another half term wrapped 🎨✨

This week, families stepped into the world of The Arnolfini Portrait by Jan van Eyck, exploring hidden meanings, reflections, colour, and storytelling through art 🪞

From bilateral mirror drawings and collaborative portraits to collage-making, dressing up, and recreating scenes from the painting, it was amazing to see so many creative ideas come to life. Swipe through to see some of the brilliant work created during the sessions 💛

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us!

Our We Are Family sessions are always free drop-in workshops, and we’ll be back again in the summer holidays this August ☀️

Another half term wrapped 🎨✨

This week, families stepped into the world of The Arnolfini Portrait by Jan van Eyck, exploring hidden meanings, reflections, colour, and storytelling through art 🪞

From bilateral mirror drawings and collaborative portraits to collage-making, dressing up, and recreating scenes from the painting, it was amazing to see so many creative ideas come to life. Swipe through to see some of the brilliant work created during the sessions 💛

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us!

Our We Are Family sessions are always free drop-in workshops, and we’ll be back again in the summer holidays this August ☀️

Another half term wrapped 🎨✨

This week, families stepped into the world of The Arnolfini Portrait by Jan van Eyck, exploring hidden meanings, reflections, colour, and storytelling through art 🪞

From bilateral mirror drawings and collaborative portraits to collage-making, dressing up, and recreating scenes from the painting, it was amazing to see so many creative ideas come to life. Swipe through to see some of the brilliant work created during the sessions 💛

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us!

Our We Are Family sessions are always free drop-in workshops, and we’ll be back again in the summer holidays this August ☀️

An evening of cinema, sketching and beautifully strange worlds 🎞️

For one night only, Arnolfini’s theatre transforms into a Wes Anderson-inspired life drawing experience hosted by Bristol Portrait Club.

From nostalgic costumes to carefully recreated scenes, this special Cinema Sketch Night invites you to sketch your way through the charm, colour and curiosity of Anderson’s iconic films.

🗓 Wednesday 2 July, 7–9pm
🎟️ Book via the link in bio

Every participant receives a free Wes Anderson-themed sketchbook 📓

Some exciting news 🗞️

We’re pleased to announce a new strategic and creative partnership between Arnolfini and Fiasco - two organisations deeply rooted in Bristol’s culture and creative community.

Working together, we’ll be developing a new visual identity for Arnolfini as it enters its next chapter, building on its commitment to contemporary arts, public engagement and Bristol’s wider creative community.

The partnership comes at a significant moment for Arnolfini as it marks 50 years in Bush House and looks ahead to hosting the British Art Show in 2027.

For Fiasco, the collaboration also marks a full circle moment. Co-Founders Ben Steers and Jason Smith began their agency journey from an incubator space within Arnolfini’s Bush House back in 2010 - to now partner with the team at such a pivotal moment in its history feels incredibly meaningful.

We’re excited to begin shaping what comes next together.

Read more via the link in our bio 🔗

BRISTOL! Don Quixote (is a very big book) will be riding into town for only 2 shows this year @arnolfiniarts July 31-1 Aug, before heading to the King Dome @thepleasance Aug 5-31st.Photo: @lilycadillac_photography#puppets #clown #puppetshow #clownshow #donquixoteisaberybigbookhttps://arnolfini.org.uk/whatson/don-quixote-is-a-very-big-book/https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/don-quixote-very-big-book@opposable.thumb.theatre

Join us for the Summer Preview Evening at Arnolfini on Friday 26 June, 5–8pm.

Be among the first to experience our new exhibitions: 'Held' by Jonathan Baldock and 'Against the Tide' by Polly Braden.

The evening also marks the opening of @wiperandtrue and @fed.303 at @arnolfinibarcafe as part of an exciting new partnership.

RSVP via the link in bio. Full programme announced soon.

Join us for the Summer Preview Evening at Arnolfini on Friday 26 June, 5–8pm.

Be among the first to experience our new exhibitions: 'Held' by Jonathan Baldock and 'Against the Tide' by Polly Braden.

The evening also marks the opening of @wiperandtrue and @fed.303 at @arnolfinibarcafe as part of an exciting new partnership.

RSVP via the link in bio. Full programme announced soon.

Join us for the Summer Preview Evening at Arnolfini on Friday 26 June, 5–8pm.

Be among the first to experience our new exhibitions: 'Held' by Jonathan Baldock and 'Against the Tide' by Polly Braden.

The evening also marks the opening of @wiperandtrue and @fed.303 at @arnolfinibarcafe as part of an exciting new partnership.

RSVP via the link in bio. Full programme announced soon.

We are pleased to announce Arnolfini has successfully qualified as an Active
Member for 2025-26 with @galleryclimatecoalition! To achieve Active status we had to demonstrate that our organisation had implemented environmentally responsible best practice in line with GCC guidance.

Active Membership is not a certification of sustainability nor a claim that we are doing things perfectly. We’re all doing our best to assess, report and reduce our impact, setting targets in line with science, taking any actions we can and working out other solutions as we go. We encourage all of our peers and colleagues to visit the @galleryclimatecoalition page or website to learn more about the initiative and how to get involved!

#GCCActiveMember #TogetherForOurPlanet #ClimateAction #ClimateEmergency
#GCC #GalleryClimateCoalition

EXCITING NEWS: A NEW CHAPTER FOR THE ARNOLFINI CAFÉ BAR

From this week, Wiper and True will be taking over the Arnolfini Café Bar, beginning a new chapter for this much-loved harbourside space.

This will become our third venue and first city centre location, bringing our approach to Beautiful Beer, thoughtful hospitality and inclusive community spaces to the heart of Bristol.

We’re also delighted to be partnering with the wonderful team behind FED, offering an all-day hospitality experience designed to serve gallery visitors, harbourside locals and the wider community alike.

We’re opening inside in the next couple of weeks following a refresh, with further refurbishment plans to be shared in due course.

But for now, from today you can come and enjoy coffee, delicious food and Wiper and True beer in the outdoor space daily from 8am - 10pm.

We’re incredibly proud to become part of Arnolfini’s story and can’t wait to welcome you.

Cheers, folks.

How can art support wellbeing and mental health? 🎨✨

Join us tomorrow (14 May, 6:30–8pm) for a conversation exploring the role art has played in shaping The Kingfisher — a new mental health service in Bristol for autistic people and people with a learning disability.

Featuring Hospital Rooms curator Louis Caseley alongside artists and collaborators behind the project.

🎟️ Book via the link in bio.

🎬New in our Dark Studio:

What if interrogation is just rehearsal?

Anna Engelhardt: Cues (12 May — 28 June 2026) explores the staged nature of control, where repeated gestures and scripted actions blur the line between performance and procedure.

This work is part of FVU New Takes, a programme of new moving image commissions presented at Arnolfini in partnership with Film and Video Umbrella, spotlighting six emerging artists pushing the boundaries of storytelling.

FVU New Takes is a @filmvidumbrella initiative supported by @jerwood_foundation.

🎬New in our Dark Studio:

What if interrogation is just rehearsal?

Anna Engelhardt: Cues (12 May — 28 June 2026) explores the staged nature of control, where repeated gestures and scripted actions blur the line between performance and procedure.

This work is part of FVU New Takes, a programme of new moving image commissions presented at Arnolfini in partnership with Film and Video Umbrella, spotlighting six emerging artists pushing the boundaries of storytelling.

FVU New Takes is a @filmvidumbrella initiative supported by @jerwood_foundation.