Crowdfunding

Help us transform Arnolfini into a living, breathing textile studio

Arnolfini
Bristol
Closed
38% funded
£7,415.61 raised
£20,000 target
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5 Reasons to help us

17 Apr 2023

Every single donation takes us closer to our target of £20,000 to deliver an ambitious engagement programme inspired by a major exhibition of textiles this summer: Threads. We want to celebrate the storytelling power of textiles to connect with past traditions, find commonalities between cultures, time and place.

Help us create a new community of makers and bring thousands of people together to knit, weave, share stories and make art in Arnolfini’s spaces.

Thank you for your ongoing support!

1
A textile studio for everyone

We will build a giant weaving machine – designed by Bristol Weaving Mill – for everyone to have a go! There will be a new textile workshop space, open every day, free for all to use.

2
Free weekly family activities all summer

A summer-long programme of free, weekly family activities in our new textile workshop spaces led by our fabulous creatives-in-residence, Let’s Make Art.

3
Support our Women's Craft Club including refugee and asylum communities 

Arnolfini’s resident Women's Craft Club – which includes women from refugee and asylum communities – will be invited to work with exhibiting artists and share their traditions and skills with visitors. All activities will be free.

4
Support artists to make new work and share textile projects

Celia Pym will bring her Mending Project to Arnolfini, inviting audiences to explore the visible mending and repair of textiles that carry personal stories and memories. Farwa Moledina will create a Majlis – a sitting room for social gatherings filled with bespoke textile patterns and cushions, where everyone is welcome. Free for all.

5
Be part of #ArnolfiniThreads

All donations make a difference to our campaign and are greatly appreciated! Below are just some of the fantastic and exclusive rewards available to donors.

Tote bags designed by Arnolfini Creatives-in-Residence Let's Make Art
Tote bags designed by Arnolfini Creatives-in-Residence Let's Make Art
Visit artist Will Cruickshank's studio and see his weaving machines in action
Visit artist Will Cruickshank's studio and see his weaving machines in action
Textile artist Alice Kettle has created a unique artwork for this appeal: Blue Flowers (2023), various threads on printed linen cloth. 62 x 35cm. Stretched on frame (no glass). 
Textile artist Alice Kettle has created a unique artwork for this appeal: Blue Flowers (2023), various threads on printed linen cloth. 62 x 35cm. Stretched on frame (no glass). 

Every donation through Art Happens brings the campaign closer to its goal. Choose an exclusive reward inspired by the project and created by the people involved - and take your very own piece of #ArnolfiniThreads away with you. Thank you!