About the Organisation

Britain’s first dedicated media centre, Watershed opened in 1982. It is housed in former industrial premises (Grade II listed) on Bristol’s waterfront and stands at the gateway to Harbourside – a major cultural, commercial and residential regeneration development in the heart of Bristol UK.

 

Watershed fosters cultural exchange and promotes engagement, enjoyment, diversity and participation in film, media arts and the creative economy. Watershed is a national and international byword for creativity in the moving image. With audiences at the heart of the organisation Watershed delivers a year round diverse, exceptional programme of films, events, festivals, artist commissions and conferences.

Three Companies

Watershed is a group of three companies: Watershed Arts Trust and two wholly owned subsidiaries of the Trust – Watershed Trading and iShed CIC.

Watershed Arts Trust is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity (Charity Number 284188), and is a leading international film and media arts centre connecting local and global audiences, learners, talent, cultures and ideas.

Watershed Trading Company is one of the most welcoming and inclusive Bristol city venues for social, business and creative dialogue. Watershed Trading Company generates a financial contribution for Watershed's artistic and cultural development.

iShed Community Interest Company delivers cultural brokerage which connects organisations, knowledge and research through collaborations across the media, arts and technology sectors.

Social Enterprise

Watershed is proud to be accredited as the first arts organisation in the South West with the ‘Social Enterprise Mark’, a label which tells customers that a product or service is creating a social or environmental benefit. Kevin Brennan MP, Minister for the Third Sector visited Watershed to present the Mark.

The Mark offers social enterprises a simple way to inform customers about the wider social or environmental impacts they provide and it gives social enterprises a competitive edge in these economically-challenging times. For customers, it offers an instantly recognisable label to identify social enterprises; reminding them that by supporting a social enterprise they are helping to create benefits for people and the planet.

 

Watershed's arts and culural programme is delivered with the support of a wide range of funders and is created through a network of collaborators. Creativity, innovation and difference are the cornerstones of the Watershed brand – extending choice, diversity and participation –  generating enjoyment and celebration,  interest and challenge. Join the email list for regular updates direct to your inbox.

Watershed (www.watershed.co.uk) is a prime example of a highly connected, flexible, porous piece of cultural and creative infrastructure, of which there are too few examples. Watershed is more than just an arts cinema. It is at once a cultural centre, a business broker, a social networker, a research and innovation facility, a café/bar, and a cultural tourist attraction. Creative Economy Programme

The old sheds in 1981 before development

“Watershed is the South West’s leading media centre for the digital age, providing opportunities for all to experience, enjoy and learn about contemporary moving image media.” Bristol Evening Post

The building houses three cinemas, a Café/Bar and a suite of event/conferencing spaces. While Watershed's cinemas bring world moving image culture to local audiences, the www.dShed.net web platform projects local talent to the world. The building also hosts Futurelab, and UWE eMedia Business Enterprises.

dShed.net Watershed's web platform which projects local talent to the world.

New skills and content are being developed by working in collaboration with artists, filmmakers, media companies, community groups and schools. This work is exhibited both on-site and on-line, with Watershed acting as a facilitator and a broker of new partnerships - see dShed.net for a list of content contributors.

Watershed promotes creativity, collaboration, innovation and participation from cultural, commercial and community sectors. It is a facilitator, a hub, and a catalyst for the creative industries.

“Bristol marries new technology and creativity with its industrial heritage – Watershed Media Centre reflects the city’s reputation as a media capital.” The Guardian

 

Watershed at night (May 2006)

Watershed employs a full-time equivalent staff of over 60 and has an annual turnover approaching £3million. The organisation’s work would not be possible without the support of a wide range of funders and collaborators. In addition to the box-office income, the work of the Trust is supported by profits from Watershed’s trading company (conference and catering), which is run on a commercial basis.