School of Activism 3.0
Enabling Active Citizenship
with workshops, events and activities throughout April 2022
After Covid forced us online last year, the PRSC is ridiculously pleased to announce that the third ever School of Activism (SOA) will be happening in our HQ building throughout the month of April. The School of Activism is a series of affordable workshops, events, exhibitions and talks designed to empower and galvanise people to make positive change in their local communities, and in the wider world.
We define activism as active citizenship; at the School of Activism special guests will run affordable sessions covering all our favourite topics of art, activism, community, music making, history, protest, spoken word and more.
School of Activism coordinator Lisa Furness explains: “The School of Activism celebrates the creative power that we have as citizens to influence and change our society. Bristol is a city filled with inspirational change-makers and activists, and the SOA offers a platform to share their stories of battles won and techniques developed.”
The 2022 curriculum features contributions from campaign group Adblock Bristol, witch poet Book of Lilith, street photographer Colin Moody, Bristol Defendant Solidarity, Bristol Utopian Book Collective, Bristol Radical History Group, X in O, and many more.
SOA 3.0 also plays host to the next People’s Art Fair running April 8-17, a collective exhibition from over 20 artists producing work on the theme of activism, plus creative activities, poetry & music!
Click to see the whole month of SOA events in one go!
Volunteer with the School of Activism
Are you interested in helping us make this happen? We need volunteers to help shape the School of Activism 3.0, from planning and programme curation, through to marketing, fundraising, comms and more. Email email hidden; JavaScript is required if you’d like to be involved, we’ll keep you in the loop.
School of Activism 3.0 – Curriculum
List of Events
School of Activism 3.0
Throughout April we're running a series of workshops, events and activities designed to empower and galvanise active citizenship.
The People’s Comedy
A special activism themed night of political, social and cultural comedy featuring some of the most exciting grassroots comedians of Bristol and beyond - and the acts ACTUALLY get paid. Come join the revolution!
Exhibition Opening People’s Art Fair: Activism
Opening night! Join us for live music, tiny painting, and the first look at our activism themed People’s Art Fair.
People’s Art Fair: Activism
A special activism themed edition of the People’s Art Fair, a collaborative group exhibition devised and hosted by the PRSC, and open to all artists.
The People’s Jam Session
A music jam session hosted by the Suspicious Jazz Roll Ups, the musical team that helped to kick off our first People's Art Fair back in February 2020.
Collage Zine Making Workshop
Ross Lovelock and object... will guide you through the creation of an original collage zine.
People’s Art Club Sunday Special
Come get your hands dirty at these informal creative skill sharing and community building sessions.
People’s Art Club
Come get your hands dirty at these informal creative skill sharing and community building sessions.
Lo-fi Music Workshop
Learn how to make music without fancy kit. No excuses!
The Fall of Colston – the Strategies of the Campaigns
Reflecting on the campaigns that resulted in the fall of Colston, and the acquittal of the defendants, plus Q&A and discussion.
‘Oscar’s Tower of Flowers’ Kids Reading Group with Bristol Utopian Book Collective
Children's reading group with discussion about what the story makes us feel, imagine and think. Attendees can then colour in a flower picture and/or plant a flower seed to take away, to brighten somewhere up or give to someone to share the love!
Translation as Activism – Turkish and Kurdish Poetry in Translation
An evening of Turkish and Kurdish poetry in English. A range of voices from 1960s 'Second New' movement, Sufi Bektaşi poets, gay and lesbian poets post-1980s and from Kurdish poet in prison Ilhan Sami Çomak.
The People’s Poetry
An open mic poetry & spoken word night, hosted by activist and poet, Book of Lilith.
Poster Making with Careful Now! Collective
Learn some DIY poster-making techniques with Careful Now! Collective
Theory of Change
What is it that we need to do to effect the change we want to see?
The 1970s Counterculture in the West Country: The story of the Bath Arts Workshop
A rare opportunity to hear co-founder of Bath Arts Workshop Phil Shepherd and other authors in conversation, reflecting upon the Bath Arts Workshop’s relevance for the present day.
Protest & Rebel: an exhibition of resistance
Inspiring artworks of rebellion, resistance and protest, including photographs of the Kill the Bill protest in March last year, by street photographer Colin Moody.
‘The Deep’ Discussion Group with Bristol Utopian Book Collective
Discussing how fiction can help us think about racial justice and climate justice, and inspire us to action.
Solidarity is our Best Defence
Join Bristol Defendant Solidarity, Bristol ABC and Bristol Anti Repression Campaign to discuss the importance of anti repression organising and look at ways we can continue to resist together.
For Crying Out Loud – get up and dance!
A School of Activism social hosted by new colab against the Bills - Bristol Outcry
China Decorating Workshop
Ever dreamed of making your own activist china? Now's your chance! Spend a relaxing afternoon creating a uniquely decorated piece of fine English bone china - choose your piece and collage as many images and as much text as you like from our unrivaled collection of historic and new water-slide ceramic transfers. Choose from two sessions: 1 - 3pm or 3.15 - 5.15pm.
People’s Art Club
Come get your hands dirty at these informal creative skill sharing and community building sessions.
New Tools, Invented Futures: Care, Work, Technology
Join writer and producer Maria Leonard for an interactive workshop using co-creation, creative writing and shared discussion on the plural trajectories for care, work and technology. By centering the potential of imagination and the notion of ‘plural futures’, you will go away with new tools and tactics needed to think about the way you want to live together with others in the future.
Tribute Concert to Rapha Dufresne 2022
Join us in the PRSC Space for the fifth edition of the Tribute Concert to Rapha Dufresne, featuring the launch of Immigrant Swing Family's new E.P.
Ad Cover Up
Find Adblockers in the streets in Bishopston, see their methods and share your views.
Adblocking Bristol Airport’s Greenwash
Join Adblock Bristol, Bristol Rising Tide and friends as they combine the creative arts practice of ‘subvertising’, ‘culture jamming’ and ad-hacking with grassroots campaigning to remove big polluter advertising from our city.
The People’s Poetry
An open mic poetry & spoken word night, hosted by activist and poet, Book of Lilith. Part of the People's Art Fair.
School of Activism & Journey to Justice present: The Long Shadow of Class – understanding inequality and galvanising change
This new film from Journey to Justice considers the crucial role class and education in the UK play in creating an economically unjust society, and discusses unequal opportunities, accent bias, the markers and stigma of poverty and the devastating effects of our current economic model.
Planet Repairs & the Arts
Workshop exploring what role the arts can play in creating Planet Repairs, and sharing practical steps for working in solidarity with communities who are driving this change. Part of the People's Art Fair.
The Struggle Continues
A collaborative exhibition marking the anniversary of the success of the Bristol Bus Boycott, alongside other tales of political struggle in Bristol and beyond. Currently seeking contributions from artists & activists!
African Apocalypse: Film Screening
Join us for a screening of the film 'African Apocalypse' which follows the university student Femi Nylander on a journey through Niger, meeting communities who are still living with the legacies of colonialism, as well as the young people determined to work towards repair. Followed by a discussion on reparations & solidarity moving forward.