News / Bristol
Sneak preview inside UWE’s new £9m creative hub
Paint is barely dry on the walls and students are yet to officially move in, but there is already a buzz of excitement within UWE’s new £9m creative hub.
Developed as part of a £37m investment in the university’s ‘city arts campus’, the brand new, state-of-the art building at Bower Ashton is said to be a game changer in terms of providing cutting edge technology and studio space.
Home to Aardman and Encounters Film Festival, Bristol is widely acknowledged as a world leader in animation and UWE is keen to ensure its graduates not only stay ahead of the curve, but continue to shape the industry’s development.
is needed now More than ever
Second year film students testing out the new industry standard sound room
“You can get as creative as you want to be,” said Josephine Cressy, a second year film student, busy revelling in the opportunities afforded by the new industry standard sound room.
“It’s not going to be a big jump going into a professional studio because I have already done it. When I first came here, seeing the studios available was amazing because I went to other open days and they did not have as much. Now, seeing all this new stuff – it has gone another level higher.”
Film students getting to work in their new studio
UWEs new state-of-the-art visual gallery
Cressy, who wants to go into cinematography, says the best thing about her course is the opportunity to gain work experience and make professional contacts – something she has been able to do from day one.
And it is this relationship with the likes of the Arnolfini, Aardman and Watershed that sets UWE apart and is a key part of its investment in the creative courses.
“The idea is to develop with partners a concept of a city campus and we are beginning to feel that we are integrating between university and the real world,” says Roger Conlon, deputy dean in the Faculty of Art, Creative Industries and Education.
“Our strategy is to ensure that our students experience the best possible learning environment.”
Journalism, fine art, illustration, film, animation and photography students will all have use of the new facilities which include a production studio, photography, stop motion, CGI, sound recording studios and more.
Chris Webster says many of the new companies springing up around Bristol are run by his former students
Chris Webster, programme leader for BA and MA animation said not only do a lot of UWE students go on to work for world leaders such as Aardman, but also a lot of companies that have sprung up in Bristol are also graduates.
Second year masters animation students Luisa Cruz and Neil Bedecker explore one of UWE’s new animation studios
Students now have the space they need to be creative
“This fantastic space will see staff and students working on industry-standard facilities to produce cutting edge projects,” said Phil Chamberlain, head of department for film and journalism.
“With all these creative disciplines under one roof, it’s going to be exciting to see what collaborations and innovations are generated. We certainly plan on making it a worthy addition to Bristol’s internationally-renowned creative industries.”
There is a strong emphasis on cycling or using public transport to get to the scenic spot overlooking the Ashton Court deer park.
The building will be launched with a new name later in the academic year and is part of a development programme that will see £37m invested in creative industries and around £300m in UWE Bristol overall.
Steve West, UWE’s president and vice chancellor, said “This latest building is a fabulous addition to the UWE portfolio, but as we all know it is not just about buildings, it is about how we blend learning in great environments with the right facilities and through making the most of our connections to help students succeed.”
Read more: UWE student makes final of prestigious national awards
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