The Old School House

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The Old School House We're a Boscombe based non-profit dedicated to supporting arts career growth and providing creative activities for our diverse community.

In our heritage building, you’ll find workshops, artist studios, space hire and more. TOSH offers the best facilities for the creative sector; spacious co-working pods, hot desking, free parking, private meeting spaces and of course, great coffee! We provide the right mix of creativity and ambience to help you start up and grow your creative business. Just around the corner are the best beaches and local independent shops where you will find a host of cafes, bars and eateries - everything you need for a bite to eat, shopping or just a break from work. TOSH is located in a beautiful Victorian building, originally built as a school which was opened in 1878 by Sir Percy Florence Shelley son of Mary Shelley, the famous novelist and author of Frankenstein. As the school moved to larger premises, the building became the award-winning Bournemouth Drama Centre, where former pupils included choirmaster and broadcaster, Gareth Malone and fashion designer Graham Fraser. The building still retains its magnificent open timber-framed ceilings and grand fireplaces which are now complemented with a stylish, contemporary interior, providing comfortable and relaxed co-working spaces, meeting rooms and the larger Assembly Hall available for hire. Contact us to arrange a visit or book a free trial!

NEW EXHIBITION 📣 ‘Portals’ at TOSH BoscombeFollowing an open call earlier this year, three artists from the Access BEAF ...
26/08/2026

NEW EXHIBITION 📣 ‘Portals’ at TOSH Boscombe

Following an open call earlier this year, three artists from the Access BEAF Network were selected for a group exhibition.

Preview: Sat 19 Sept, 3pm
Exhibition continues: 20 Sept – 20 Dec, 12pm-5pm on selected dates
FREE ENTRY | The Old School House (TOSH)

Exhibiting artists: Jaya Edwards, Rachael Lee and Zsubilla

Find out more & RSVP: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/portals-exhibition-tickets-1998354747845?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

Find out more about our Access BEAF Network for Neurodiverse, Disabled and Global Majority artists via the BEAF website

NEW EXHIBITION 📣 'What Emerges' at Boscombe Arts Depot‘What Emerges’ brings together seven artists from the Access BEAF ...
23/08/2026

NEW EXHIBITION 📣 'What Emerges' at Boscombe Arts Depot

‘What Emerges’ brings together seven artists from the Access BEAF programme; an artist development programme for neurodivergent and disabled artists in Dorset and Hampshire.

Preview: 17 Sept, 6pm
Exhibition continues: 18 Sept – 10 Oct, 12pm-5pm
FREE ENTRY | Boscombe Arts Depot (B.A.D.)

Exhibiting artists: Mayre Casadei, Stuart Faulkner, Iñe, Amy Hopwood, Carrie Mason, Emma Mcginn, and Melanie Ffitch-Mitchell

Find out more: gotbeaf.co.uk/event/what-emerges-exhibition/

A lot goes into building a sustainable career as an artist, and very little of it happens in isolation...Talking through...
18/08/2026

A lot goes into building a sustainable career as an artist, and very little of it happens in isolation...

Talking through your work, getting honest feedback, asking questions, meeting other artists, visiting exhibitions, learning about funding and income streams, and connecting with people working across the sector are all hugely valuable experiences - all of which we try to facilitate throughout the year!

Our new Arts Career Course offers time, support and space to work on the practical side of developing your career, alongside a small group of other local artists.

The course is led by experienced artists and arts professionals, with additional 1-to-1 support and access to our wider artist development programme throughout Autumn.

Applications close this Thursday 20 August at midnight ⏳

If you’ve been thinking about where your practice could go next, this is your last chance to apply for the 2026 course.

TOSH, Boscombe
3 Sept – 26 Nov, every other week
£150, payable in 2 instalments�
Up to 15 artists

Apply via the link in our bio, or here: forms.gle/it6uZGiR8XsxJ9qh9

Arts Career Course TUTOR REVEAL 📣Artist development producer and curator, Rebecca Russell In this session, Rebecca will...
17/08/2026

Arts Career Course TUTOR REVEAL 📣Artist development producer and curator, Rebecca Russell

In this session, Rebecca will offer advice around open calls - finding them, identifying the right ones for you, and what to look out for before submitting work.

We’ll also share ideas around artist-led initiatives and creating your own opportunities - and the importance of a supportive local arts community.

Becca’s work involves 1-to-1 idea development, exhibition making, professional practice guidance, funding support, and grant applications. She is an artist mentor for Dorset Visual Arts and a member of the British Art Network for curators.

This is a fantastic opportunity to gain tailored advice from a professional arts mentor working across London and Dorset.

Join us for this NEW Arts Career Course at TOSH to develop your professional practice
Bi-weekly evenings | Sept-Nov (dates online) | £150 course fee

FIND OUT MORE & APPLY: gotbeaf.co.uk
FINAL WEEK TO APPLY! Deadline: 20 August ⏰

Snippets from This Is Us - an exhibition at TOSH by artists from Outside In's Make Art group What does it mean to make ...
12/08/2026

Snippets from This Is Us - an exhibition at TOSH by artists from Outside In's Make Art group

What does it mean to make art in the world today? ‘This Is Us’ presents work by 11 artists asserting their identities as creators and celebrating belonging and community, whilst exploring what it means to be an artist in today’s world.

Exhibition open every Weds & Fri until end of August, 11am-3pm

Plus additional dates:
Sat 22 August, 1pm–4pm
Fridays 4 & 11 Sept, 11am–3pm

FREE TO VISIT

Find out more via the link in our bio, or here: https://www.toshspace.co.uk/blog/exhibition-this-is-us-by-artists-from-outside-ins-make-art-bournemouth-group

Artwork credits:
1 - Roger Strong
2 - Phil J
3 - Alfie White-Starke
4 - Berni Vincent
5 - Roger Strong

Arts Career Course TUTOR REVEAL 📣 Dorset-based artist and researcher, Laura Eldret In this core session of the course, ...
11/08/2026

Arts Career Course TUTOR REVEAL 📣 Dorset-based artist and researcher, Laura Eldret

In this core session of the course, Laura will share reflections on her recent place-based projects working in Dorset, and her commitment to more sustainable and regenerative creative practices.

We’ll discuss both the ecological and the imaginary within her work, and think about how these approaches inform her work with organisations and galleries.

Laura has exhibited widely, from England to Argentina, and has been awarded commissions by major art institutions. She also founded More Than Ponies - a roaming art programme rooted in the New Forest, Dorset and surrounding areas.

This is a fantastic opportunity to gain insights from an established artist making work in this area.

Join us for this NEW Arts Career Course at TOSH to develop your professional arts practice
Bi-weekly evenings | Sept-Nov (dates online) | £150 course fee

FIND OUT MORE & APPLY: gotbeaf.co.uk/
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 20 August



Image credit: Jayne Jackson

Arts Career Course TUTOR REVEAL 📣 Sam Jackson Introducing our next session tutor, acclaimed contemporary painter - Sam ...
05/08/2026

Arts Career Course TUTOR REVEAL 📣 Sam Jackson

Introducing our next session tutor, acclaimed contemporary painter - Sam Jackson

In this core session of the course, Sam will offer a behind-the-scenes look at navigating the contemporary art world 🤝

Drawing on his extensive career, he'll share honest insights into developing arts sector relationships, approaching galleries, expanding your reach, and creating opportunities that last.

Join us for this NEW Arts Career Course at TOSH to develop your professional arts practice
Bi-weekly evenings | Sept-Nov (dates online) | £150 course fee

FIND OUT MORE & APPLY: gotbeaf.co.uk/
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 20 August

Our recent Creative Start Up Programme supported local artists & makers to increase their confidence in developing work ...
04/08/2026

Our recent Creative Start Up Programme supported local artists & makers to increase their confidence in developing work & building a creative business 👏

Thank you to our fantastic tutors - Joanne Griffin, Emily Melling & Sally Winter - and to our amazing cohort of creatives, we can't wait to see what you do next!

If you're an artist looking to build a sustainable creative practice, our upcoming Arts Career Course offers a different, arts career-focused programme covering professional practice, the arts sector and developing a sustainable career!

In our latest creative support programme…
- Every attendee increased their overall confidence
- Confidence in marketing and networking grew by 145%�
- Every participant finished the course with a clearer understanding of how to grow their creative practice

Attendees valued…
- learning alongside other creatives
- practical, actionable advice
- peer discussion & feedback
- expert tutors with real-world experience
- having dedicated time to think about their practice
- Feeling more connected to a creative community

“This course has helped me to focus on my practice and how I want to take it forward. It has helped me to be honest with what I can achieve, and what I want to achieve. Peer feedback and input has been so valuable.”

If you're an artist looking to develop a sustainable creative practice, applications for our Arts Career Course are now open!

Deadline 20th August ⏳

Find out more & apply via the link in our bio: or here: forms.gle/jFz4kSkoxfz9cHPL7

Arts Career Course TUTOR REVEAL 📣 Daniel Regan Introducing our next session tutor, Daniel Regan - a visual artist, crea...
30/07/2026

Arts Career Course TUTOR REVEAL 📣 Daniel Regan

Introducing our next session tutor, Daniel Regan - a visual artist, creative health consultant and Director of Arts & Health Hub!

We're excited to have Daniel with us, offering a session focussed on building and sustaining an arts career 💫

In this core session of the course, we'll visualise our ideal creative working week through interactive prompts, identifying practical steps to make it happen.

Daniel will also talk us through the viable income streams across his arts practice, with plenty of time for questions and discussion 💭

Develop your professional practice with our NEW Arts Career Course at TOSH
Bi-weekly evenings | Sept-Nov (dates online) | £150 course fee

FIND OUT MORE & APPLY: gotbeaf.co.uk/
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 20 August

Arts Career Course TUTOR REVEAL 📣 Jackie SarafopoulosIntroducing our next session tutor, Jackie - Freelance Art Consulta...
29/07/2026

Arts Career Course TUTOR REVEAL 📣 Jackie Sarafopoulos

Introducing our next session tutor, Jackie - Freelance Art Consultant and Founder of Jackie Sarafopoulos, and Owner/Director of Modern Contemporary Art Gallery .art

We're excited to have Jackie with us for our NEW artist support course at TOSH, offering advice from her 30 years' of experience in the visual arts sector!

In this core session of the course, Jackie will share her extensive knowledge around working with galleries / organisations, and offer guidance for developing your professional practice to establish income streams.

Develop your professional practice with our Arts Career Course
Bi-weekly evenings | Sept-Nov (dates online) | £150 course fee

FIND OUT MORE & APPLY: gotbeaf.co.uk/
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 20 August

Address

The Old School House, Gladstone Road
Boscombe
BH76BG

Telephone

+44 1202 302659

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