Knowle West Media Centre

Knowle West Media Centre (KWMC) is a charitable arts and community technology centre in South Bristol's Knowle West, founded in 1996 by Carolyn Hassan and formally established as a charity in 2002, with its eco-built headquarters opening in 2008. Its mission is to foster fair, thriving neighbourhoods through participatory arts, technology, and care, empowering change-makers of all ages to build skills, confidence, and agency amid social disadvantage. Core values—imagination, integrity, collaboration, equity, and resilience—drive a distinctive place-based model blending co-creation, grassroots leadership, digital inclusion, environmental stewardship, and creative innovation to tackle community-defined challenges like housing, health, climate, and youth development.

KWMC prioritises arts-led social innovation, funding thematic programmes in digital creativity, environmental action, social enterprise, youth skills, housing retrofits, and neighbourhood science. Key initiatives include 'We Can Make' for resident-led affordable housing, digital fabrication training at KWMC:Factory, artist residencies, climate pilots, and mentoring for creative startups, benefiting young people, disadvantaged residents, and local groups to advance social justice, sustainable communities, and economic regeneration.

Eligible applicants are limited to community groups and social enterprises based in Knowle West, Filwood ward, or South Bristol, with no income thresholds or religious restrictions. It does not accept unsolicited applications; instead, email enquiries@kwmc.org.uk with project outlines for potential ad hoc partnerships or co-designed commissions. Typical grants range from £5,000 to £20,000 for pilots, fellowships, or capacity-building within funded initiatives, with no fixed deadlines or meetings.

Unlike traditional grantmakers, KWMC avoids core costs, unrestricted, or emergency funding, focusing on invitation-only collaborations and project-specific sub-grants via partners like Knowle West Alliance (smaller £250-£1,000 grants). Its hyper-local empowerment through arts-tech fusion and long-term community networks sets it apart for charities seeking aligned, participatory impact.