Links between Bristol’s creative sector and UWE will be strengthened by the large-scale redevelopment of its Bower Ashton campus.
The university said the city’s growing reputation as a cultural and creative hub – with its internationally-renown filmmaking, animation and visual art – was making it a magnet for students interested in careers in the burgeoning industries.
The scheme, recently approved by Bristol City Council, includes the demolition of three blocks, replacing them with three new three-storey buildings to house UWE’s Digital Media and Physical Making Resources departments. 
The remaining blocks on the site near Ashton Court will also be refurbished to provide a new student hub bringing together catering, retail, the Students’ Union, student support services, library, and IT support.
A new entrance will boost the drama department’s facilities, giving students the chance to give public performances in an easy-to-reach space.
The entire site will also get improved vehicle, pedestrian and cycle access and related facilities.
The university said the scheme would help it develop the strong partnerships already forged with the artistic and cultural sector in Bristol and provide students with a vibrant university experience.
Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Creative Industries and Education, Prof Alex Gilkison, said: “The new vision that this significant investment will underpin is anchored in our aim to be externally connected, practice oriented and professionally accredited.
“It is critical that we maintain a metropolitan base for the university in the city and Bower Ashton’s proximity to Bristol’s creative and cultural organisations, based in and around the harbour and city centre, enables us to continue developing new and strengthening existing partnerships.”
He said UWE already had strong long term connections with Aardman, Arnolfini, BBC, Bristol Museums, Galleries and Archives, Spike Island and Watershed that had developed in order to support the practice-oriented learning of UWE students.
“Bristol is becoming well known as a creative hub. Increasing numbers of production companies, digital entrepreneurs and creative business incubators are establishing their base here and making the city a magnet for creative people,” he said. 
“This, in turn, is attracting record numbers of applicants to UWE Bristol who are keen to make the most of the opportunities that come from being based in such a vibrant city.
“The established local, national and international links that UWE has spent years forging are also beginning to fire sparks globally as the university attracts increasing numbers of international students through the maturing of overseas partnerships.
“We need to be sure that UWE Bristol provides students with industry standard resources grouped around discipline hubs that support practice based learning as well as delivering an inspirational learning environment.”
The developments will take place in phases, with Building 1 expected to be completed in early 2017 and Building 2 in autumn 2018.
UWE said a public art strategy would be linked to the new Building 2 and a new central courtyard would open up opportunities for students to respond to briefs for commission a new piece of work each year.
Key partnerships between UWE and Bristol’s creative sector include:
Spike Island: Some 300 Fine Art and post-graduate Art and Design students are learning and practising in a professional environment in easy reach of Bower Ashton.
Watershed: Developing the world-class Pervasive Media Studio and continued investment in nationally significant research and Bristol’s media economy.
Arnolfini: A new strategic partnership supported by the Arts Council that will provide facilities for up to 550 students.
Partnerships with Aardman Animation and BBC (Natural History Unit, Factual and News) involve postgraduate students in Animation, Wildlife Filmmaking, and Documentary and Features mentored by professionals.
