Bricks’ new charitable objects: reflecting the work we do now, and the work ahead

Bricks has come a long way since its inception eight years ago. Eight years of learning, experimenting and responding to the ambitions of communities has massively expanded the scope of what we do, and we’re just getting started!

We have recently completed a process to update our Charitable Objects to better reflect the work we do and the work we want to do in the future. Some people might think of the details of what the Charity Commission holds on file as our purpose as just admin, but we believe it’s important that our community understands what we are set up to do, it also feels important to celebrate the significant growth and development of our work – building thriving communities collaborating through creativity on an ambitious and growing scale.

What’s changed

Our previous objects:

“The object of the CIO is to advance the arts for the public benefit through the establishing and maintaining of an art gallery, the promotion of contemporary art, the education of the public in the understanding and appreciation of contemporary art and the provision of workspace and services to artists.”

Our new objects:

“1.To advance arts and culture for the benefit of the public by supporting creative practitioners and delivering inclusive programmes, commissions and cultural activities that engage and inspire.
2.To advance citizenship and community development, for the benefit of the public, through, but not limited to:

a) the support of the use, development and stewardship of social, creative and community infrastructure.
b) the promotion of civic participation, volunteering and community capacity building;
c) the promotion of urban or rural regeneration in areas of social and economic deprivation by the provision of recreational facilities and activities;“

Whilst arts and culture is still right at the heart of Bricks, it has been joined by a second purpose that recognises the community and civic work that has grown up alongside it. Arts and culture remains the first of our objects, and the support we offer artists, creative communities and audiences continues as before, based on our growing understanding of just how much mutual benefit comes when these communities are supported hand in hand with local communities.

Although not something that’s always at the forefront of a charity’s communications, Charitable Objects are what define what the organisation exists to achieve, setting the legal boundaries for its activities and trustee powers.

Our previous objects were written when Bricks began, and they’ve served us well. But over the last eight years, Bricks has grown, and we wanted to both tighten up how we describe our work, and give us more latitude to expand our remit. The new objects describe that more accurately, and set us up for what comes next.

Why now?

Because it’s already what we do. 

Today, St Anne’s House is home to 87 tenant organisations and 35 artists in affordable studios. It’s also home to a community living room, an open access youth club, a cooperative gym, a community sauna and a year-round programme of free activities, and it recorded more than 55,000 visits in 2025-26. We co-developed the Brislington Community Climate Action Plan with local people, and are supporting a growing number of resident-led activities and groups.

The needs and ambitions of the communities we work with go beyond access to the arts. They include affordable space, opportunities for young people, ways to connect with neighbours, and a say in how their area changes. Our new objects let us respond to all of that on a clear charitable footing.

What does it mean in practice?

Day to day, very little changes, except that what we do and what we say we do now match. For the people we work with, it means:

• Artists and creative communities know that affordable studios, creative workspace, exhibition space, commissions and support is part of our DNA.
• Residents, young people and local groups can be confident that community and civic activity is a core part of our purpose, not an add-on that is liable to disappear.
• Partners and funders have a clearer picture of the full range of what Bricks does.

Looking ahead

This is an exciting step for us. It recognises what eight years of learning, experimenting and listening have built, and gives us a strong foundation for the next stage, including the long-term future of St Anne’s House.

Thank you to everyone who has been part of Bricks’ story so far, it’s ultimately by being open to the ideas of creative and local communities that has provided the inspiration and energy to open the door to so much more than we initially envisaged.