Access Creative College (ACC), the UK’s leading games, music and media college, has swung open the doors to Phase One of its new games and media campus with an action packed launch event. Students, parents and members from across the city’s education and business community celebrated the opening of the new £5m facility with a host of live performances and student showcases.
Those who attended the launch got to experience ACC’s new state-of-the-art facilities, which included live demonstrations in the Virtual Reality and Green-Screen suites, and Overclockers took over the Creative Labs to show off some of the latest gaming technology. There was also an exhibition of student artwork and live performances.
In a pre-recorded video address to the attendees, Margot James, Minister for Digital and the Creative Industries, said, “As the first college with a sole focus on the creative industries in Bristol, Access Creative College will play a really important role in developing talent and skills that are vital to the future growth of this part of our economy. Our world leading creative sectors are a major economic driver for the UK, in 2017 they contributed just over £100 billion to the UK economy, as well as providing wider societal and cultural benefits that showcase the very best of the UK to the world.”
James continued, “I’m particularly delighted to see that Access College is working with leading creative businesses and organisations in order to help students from all backgrounds to progress in their chosen creative career path. The UK has a track record in producing world leading creatives and the new Access Creative College will play an exciting part in teaching the next generation of creatives.”
Sally Larkin, Centre Manager of Access Creative College, added, “We’ve been in Bristol for 20 years but we re-branded from Access to Music to Access Creative College in 2017 to reflect our growing offer. This new site perfectly embodies our vision for what the new proposition is all about. Everyone has worked so hard to get the site ready for the students to begin working from here this week. For this launch event, it’s also great to be able to showcase so much of our students’ talent with live performances and the exhibition. We’re all so happy to finally be able to show off Phase One of new Campus in all its glory, as we look to inspire more students than ever to take a path into the creative industries. But this is just the beginning.’
Situated just around the corner from Broadmead, the 12,000 sq. ft site is located on All Saints’ Street inside Programme, a new development that’s home to a number of digital and arts businesses. The second phase of the games and media campus will occupy the ground floor, which was formally the site of Harry’s Amusements arcade, and is due for completion next year.
Larkin continued, “Bristol has such a rich heritage of creativity and ACC has made a substantial investment here in the city to be able to offer a prospectus of industry leading courses in media and gaming. The students have been truly overwhelmed by the new facilities, so all the hard work has paid off. It’s a real privilege to be opening a new campus aimed at specifically developing skills that will not only forge fulfilling and exciting careers for young people in and around Bristol, but also help to feed the city’s hunger for expertise within its growing market of creative businesses.”
Currently, ACC’s Music Performance, Music Technology & Production, Vocal Artist and Artist Development students will continue to benefit from the renowned rehearsal and studio facilities at the satellite site in Hengrove.
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