Culture for All: Visitor Experience Skills Bootcamp
About
Our Visitor Economy: Inclusive Events Skills Bootcamp is an exciting collaboration between UWE Bristol and Spike Island, designed to empower professionals working in cultural venues, heritage sites, and visitor attractions to lead the way in creating inclusive, accessible, and unforgettable experiences. As the region prepares to host the British Art Show 2027, this programme supports individuals and organisations to build the confidence, creativity, and practical skills needed to welcome diverse audiences and deliver events that reflect the richness of our communities.
Spike Island brings deep industry insight from the heart of Bristol's cultural scene, while UWE Bristol delivers sector-informed, practice-based training that builds leadership, resilience, and the ability to thrive in a changing visitor economy. Whether you're working front-of-house, managing events, or shaping audience engagement strategies, this Skills Bootcamp blends expert-led learning with real-world applicationhelping you embed new skills directly into your role and organisation to create immediate impact.
What's more, you'll hear from colleagues from Arnolfini and Royal West of England as well as other producers and organisations that play a vital role in the city regions cultural scene, and join a vibrant network of cultural professionals from across the West of England, sharing ideas, challenges, and best practice. You'll gain access to 1:1 expert support, live case studies, and a personal learning portfolio to showcase your development. By the end of the programme, you'll be equipped to lead with confidence, champion accessibility, and help shape a more inclusive, welcoming cultural landscape for all.
To see full detials, including session dates and content, please contact our team at bootcamps@uwe.ac.uk
Entry requirements
Due to funding restrictions, all learners must meet the following criteria:
- Be aged 19 by 8 September 2025.
- Live in or work for an SME organisation based in in Bristol, South Gloucestershire, Bath and North East Somerset or North Somerset.
- Not currently be in full-time or part-time education.
- Have the right to live and work in the UK.
- Have not registered and attended (including partial completion) any other Skills Bootcamp since April 2024 from any provider.
- Have your employers agreement to attend and achieve the required outcomes.
How to apply
Want to find out more?
If you would like to find out more about our skills Bootcamps or have an enquiry, please complete our Skills Bootcamp Enquiry Form and a member of the team will be in touch.
Ready to Apply?
If you have checked our Entry Requirements above and are ready to apply for this Skills Bootcamp please complete the Culture for All: Visitor Experience Skills Bootcamp Application Form.
For further information
- Email: bootcamps@uwe.ac.uk
- Telephone: +44 (0)117 32 83137
Prices and dates
Supplementary fee information
January 2026 cohort
Application deadline: Monday 22 December 2025
Programme start date: Monday 12 January 2026
To see our programme brochure and for the full list of session dates, please contact bootcamps@uwe.ac.uk for full details.
Live sessions will take place in-person at Arnolfini Campus and Spike Island, Bristol from 09:30-16:30.
Bootcamp fees
This Skills Bootcamp has limited spaces available for SME employees.
90% government-funded for SME employers (inc charities and CICs).
This Skills Bootcamp is heavily subsidised, with the government covering 90% of the total cost for eligible learners applying through their SME employer. The full course fee is £3,999.10, but SME employers pay just 10% only £399.91 per learner.
Please note: This Bootcamp is currently open only to applicants sponsored by SME employers. If you're an independent learner, self-employed, or employed by a large organisation please complete the Expression of Interest form in the How to Apply section so we can notify you about future availability.
The Skills Bootcamps Programme is funded and managed by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority and delivered by UWE Bristol.