Tucked away behind Onega Terrace, just off the Upper Bristol Road, Bath Artists' Studios is a quiet hive of artistic activity; the largest and most diverse artists' community in Bath. With over 50 studios and more than 60 artists under one roof, we're not only a place where artists work for a living, but also a place where hundreds of people of all ages visit to learn sculpture, painting, drawing, and more; alongside community projects that bring the city together.

Bath is a World Heritage city, rightly known for its rich cultural history. But BAS represents the beating heart of the city's current culture, and we believe our era deserves to leave its own mark on that history too.

Our story began in November 1996, when local portrait painter David Cobley took on the former Lyncombe Infants School in Widcombe. By April 1997 the studios were in full occupation, home to 27 artists, with one room set aside as a life room. A full weekly programme of classes; life drawing, watercolour, oils, clay modelling; soon followed, open to experienced artists and complete beginners alike. Since 2003 we've been based at The Old Malthouse, and over three decades we've been home to many well-known contemporary artists, including members of the prestigious Bath Society of Artists.

One of our proudest current projects is Patchwork Project 26, inviting the people of Bath to help create a community patchwork quilt reflecting life in the city today. The finished quilt will become a community time capsule, shaped by the voices and memories of Bath residents. It's curated by BAS resident artist, Emma Reichenbach of Bath Spa University, led by volunteer artists from BAS, and developed in partnership with the American Museum & Gardens.

In recent times we've focused on deepening our support across Bath more broadly, proud to partner with organisations including Emerge and Bath Spa University, through whom we host an annual graduate residency, and Art at the Heart, a programme supporting the wellbeing of patients and visitors at the RUH. We work with various local art groups from Bath Contemporary Artists’ Fair to Bath Open Studios, an organisation that represents artists in every quarter of Bath. Collectively with our partners we want to ensure that modern day culture is a key part of life for to those who live and work in Bath and North East Somerset. BAS is already working hard to achieve this goal. We work with our partners at Funky Art House who teach hundreds of children annually, not only introducing children to the arts but providing valuable, quality childcare during school holidays and after school. But we want to go further.

As a registered charity (No. 1102077), our mission has always been to support artists at every stage of their career and open up the arts to everyone. Our tenure at The Old Malthouse comes to an end in 2027, and we remain optimistic about what comes next. As we work to make Bath Artists' Studios more ambitious and more central to the city's culture than ever, we need support from the public, from politicians, and from everyone who visits this city and values the arts.

Be part of this ambition. Sign up to our newsletter below to help us grow.