Become a friend
Enjoy exclusive access to Bristol's collection of mid-century craft and design and help secure its future.
Friends of the Collection are a friendly, design-loving community supporting the Stradling Collection. As an independent charity, your membership helps us build towards long-term sustainability and reach a wider audience.
Friends will benefit from:
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Private views before exhibitions open to the public
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Free entry to ticketed events
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10% off our shop
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Exclusive Friends-only events
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Entry into our annual draw to win a Curator's Tour for two
Your membership directly supports the Collection's learning and engagement programme.
Volunteer with us
We simply couldn't do what we do without our volunteers. They help keep the Stradling Collection open to the public by stewarding our exhibitions.
Most of our volunteers are exhibition stewards, and they come from all walks of life, some are artists and makers themselves, some are collectors, others simply love spending time here at the gallery. What binds them all is a love of the Collection. Volunteering opportunities also include supporting our learning programme, photography, care and maintenance of the Collection, or the administrative tasks that keep everything ticking over.
We'll never ask more of you than you're comfortable with, whether that's the tasks we assign or the time we ask for. If you become a steward, you won't need to be an expert on the exhibitions or the Collection, we provide training, as well as plenty of information for visitors to engage with independently.
Please note: the building has four floors and no lift, so you'll need to be able to climb stairs.
To register your interest, or find out more, please fill out the form below or email Lisa at Volunteers@Stradlingcollection.org.
“I have been a volunteer for many years... I can’t remember how many! I used to look after Ken’s garden which is how I got ensnared into the collection! I am jolly glad I did as I really like seeing all the pieces in his collection and learning more about them. I enjoy volunteering at the exhibitions as I get to know even more about the pieces. It is also very nice to spend time with other volunteers as they are all such lovely and knowledgeable people.”
- Ed Hall, volunteer
“The joys of volunteer stewarding at the gallery are twofold. First, you’ve the chance to get up close and personal with Mr Stradling’s World of Wonderful Things where always something to learn. Joy number two is the visitors. They really are an interesting bunch; I was a bit shy of appearing to intrude on peoples’ viewing, but once you start talking, you get some amazing stories."
- Cat Bracey-Launder, volunteer
Donate
The Stradling Collection is an independent charity, and every donation, large or small, makes a direct difference to what we can do. Your support helps us care for our collection, share it with as wide an audience as possible, and inspire the next generation of designers, makers, and collectors.
Your donation could help fund:
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Collection care: conservation, cataloguing, and safe storage of our 2,000+ pieces of mid-century design, craft, and fine art
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Exhibitions: research, loans, and installation costs for our changing programme of exhibitions
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Learning & engagement: workshops, talks, and resources that open up craft and design to schools, students, and the wider community
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Youth opportunities: internships and work experience that help young people build skills and confidence in the arts and heritage sector
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Access for all: keeping the gallery welcoming and low-cost to visit, whatever someone's background or budget
Every gift, whatever the size, helps us keep the Collection open and accessible for years to come.