Our Story

Based in the heart of East Oxford, we’ve been initiating creative projects that inspire communities, support artists and promote social justice since 1977

Our Mission

Established in 1977, Fusion Arts connects artists with communities, promoting dynamic creative projects that drive social justice and celebrate diversity. We respond to challenging social circumstances by delivering meaningful, participatory artistic experiences that provide tangible value for all involved. Fusion Arts is a catalyst for creativity in Oxford and beyond.

History

Fusion Arts is an Oxford-based charity that devises and delivers innovative creative projects in the local and wider community. We collaborate with a wide range of local, national and global organisations, artists, groups, communities and people to make a difference at multiple levels. Our work is dedicated to foregrounding and tackling urgent social issues such as climate justice and equality.

Formerly known as Bloomin’ Arts, Fusion has been operating from our base on the corner of Princes Street and the Cowley Road in the heart of the artistic East Oxford community since March 1977. Fusion's work reaches across Oxfordshire and beyond and includes high-profile events such as Oxford’s Light Festival and public artworks such as the Covid-19 Stay Safe Murals. Explore our community projects here.

Our offices are based at the Fusion Arts Centre where we have two large workshop spaces. We also operate a number of meanwhile use units in central Oxford and East Oxford. We run an exciting and innovative programme of creative events, activities and experiences from these spaces as well as in other community hubs across Oxford and Oxfordshire. Visit our What's On page to check current event listings.

Our workshop and meanwhile spaces are available for hire to local arts practitioners, organisations, and groups at a low cost rate and we are always happy to chat about collaborative opportunities for exhibitions, events and classes. If you have an idea in mind to animate one of these spaces, please get in touch.

Likewise, we are constantly looking to further our work with diverse community groups. If you have ideas for creative and social-values driven projects that we could support and work in partnership with you on, please get in touch!

Fusion Arts Youtube

Funding

We gratefully acknowledge our core funders Oxford City Council, as well as all the various trusts and foundations who support our work, both past and present: Arts Council England; Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport; BBC Children in Need; GLAM (Gardens, Libraries and Museums of the University of Oxford); Oxford Hub; Mr and Mrs Pye’s Charitable Settlement; The Tolkien Trust; Lankelly Chase Foundation; Youth Music; Heritage Lottery Fund; MINI Plant Oxford; Lloyds TSB; Awards For All; First Light; Oxfordshire County Council; West Oxfordshire District Council; South Oxfordshire District Council; Cherwell District Council; Oxford Brookes University; Oxford Business Park; The Chill Out Fund; Oxfordshire Community Foundation; Youth Opportunities Fund; Local Network Fund; The Carnegie UK Trust; East Oxford Action; Emma’s Trust; The Henley Festival; Vinvolved Team; Paul Hamlyn Foundation; Ashmolean Museum; Pitt-Rivers Museum; Bodleian Libraries; New River REIT; The Randolph Hotel by Graduate Hotels; Barrett Homes; Doris Field;the Stanton Ballard Charitable Trust; Jesus College; Christ Church College; South Oxfordshire District Council; and Levelling up.

We are also very grateful for the support we receive through our many community partnerships and the generous donations from members of the community.

“We respond to challenging social circumstances by delivering meaningful and inclusive artistic experiences that provide tangible value for all involved.”

Artistic Policy

  • We deliver high quality, participatory artistic experiences in partnership with the communities we serve
  • Initiate inspiring and innovative arts projects that support social inclusion, drive social change and celebrate diversity
  • Provide access to a wide range of expertise, facilities and resources
  • Advocate for creativity and its numerous wellbeing benefits

Our work prioritises people and groups who otherwise may not have access to or feel that there is a ‘place’ for them in the arts. This includes:

  • Young people
  • People from the global majority
  • People without housing or those who are vulnerably housed
  • Asylum seekers and refugees
  • Economically disadvantaged people
  • Those with physical, learning or mental health difficulties
  • Older people

We also support artists in furthering their community arts skills.

We believe that the arts

  • Enable communities to explore issues, communicate ideas and celebrate their identity
  • Offer opportunities for self expression, skill development and fun
  • Contribute to personal, social and economic growth
  • Should be mobilised to drive sustainability, social inclusion and climate justice

All of our projects work towards reaching these goals.

Explore More

Find out how you can get involved with Fusion Arts and browse opportunities.

Venue Hire

Venue Hire

Our workshop spaces are ideal for meetings, classes, exhibitions, arts activities, gigs and evening events.

Venue Hire
Collaborate

Collaborate

We welcome collaborations with arts practitioners, organisations & members of the community.

Collaborate
Jobs, Callouts, Opportunities and Volunteering

Jobs, Callouts, Opportunities and Volunteering

Browse our current range of creative opportunities.

Jobs, Callouts, Opportunities and Volunteering

Who We Are

Supporters of Fusion Arts

Oxford City Council Arts Council England National Lottery Funded Project Grant National Lottery Community Fund Oxfordshire Community Foundation Here for Culture Doris Field Charitable Trust BBC Children in Need Levelling Up South Oxfordshire District Council Christ Church College Jesus College