Brighton's Best Creative Hubs for Artsy Students

The city of Brighton is one that bursts with colour and coolness, it’s abundance of indie coffee shops and one of the best piers in the UK are just a couple of the fantastic offerings for its students. Brighton’s best creative hubs are also regular student haunts that anyone with a creative spark should venture into. The places we’re looking at today present a blank canvas for inspiration, connection, and pure imaginative energy. If you’re searching for your next lightbulb moment, then just pull up and get stuck in.

Phoenix Art Space: Creativity in the Heart of Brighton

Located just a short walk away from Brighton train station, Phoenix Art Space is an art gallery with a few extra points of intrigue. The centre is the buzzing heart of Brighton’s creative scene, offering a sanctuary for student creators of all guises.

Their affordable range of studio provide creatives with a place to work that puts them in the middle of their community, providing a space for like minded artists to connect.

The centre also hosts around 15 rotating exhibitions each year, helping get the creative juices flowing and expanding the horizons of anyone that visits. There’s also a range of workshops and open studio events for those than want to get a little more ‘hands on’ with their research.

So, whether you’re sketching a personal project, or editing a short film for your course, Phoenix blends its community vibes with professional resources. The café is a helpful bonus for if you forget to bring coffee too.

The Old Market: Brighton’s Independent Stage

Found a little outside of the city on the road to Hove, The Old Market (known locally as TOM) is a small, independent venue that offers live music, immersive digital experiences, and bold ideas. It’s a magnet for creatives, and one of the best spots in the region to explore the edge of your horizons and learn plenty.

Why students love it: 

• Plenty of affordable tickets are available for events throughout the year.
• Interactive exhibits and immersive digital art (think VR theatre, experimental soundscapes, and projection mapping)
• Opportunities for volunteering, internships, and learning experiences.
• Artist Q & A’s, so you can learn from the professionals.

Promoting local and national theatre is an important job for creative centres around the country, and in TOM, Brighton & Hove has its own stage to showcase its talent.

Fabrica: Art That Immerses and Inspires

Set in the cultured environment of a former church building, Fabrica is one of Brighton’s most daring spaces for budding artists. It’s contemporary style helps it to specialise in bold, large scale exhibitions that push your senses to their limit. The idea is to make you feel what you’re thinking, and for creative students this is perfect for discovering your own style.

The immersive nature of Fabrica takes it beyond its own four walls, often opening the debate up to the wider community. It’s visual workshops, artist talks, and creative residencies promote debates that will challenge your own pre-conceptions.

The Rose Hill: A Multidisciplinary Collective

More underground than mainstream, The Rose Hill is an eclectic, artist run studio that welcomes musicians, filmmakers, illustrators, and experimental creators through it’s doors.

Why students love it:

• Regular live music and performances
• Bookable studio spaces available for short-term use
• DIY creative spirt with a community focus
• Openness to diverse forms of artistic expression

You don’t have to be ‘established’ to get involved. The Rose Hill thrives on curiosity and collaboration, making it perfect for students looking to test ideas and push boundaries.

Brighton Open Market Studios

Amidst the hustle and bustle of Brighton’s open air market, it can be easy to miss the small cluster of studios found within its perimeters. It might be a small space for artists to express themselves, but it’s as important as anywhere else in the city. The studios host a range of independent makers and artists that invite you to take a look inside.

If you’re a student that’s searching for a realistic view of what creative work in Brighton looks like, then this is the place to be. A chat with the vendors can help you gain valuable insights into what you need to do to succeed in the world of art and creativity. When empty, the studios will host small exhibitions that offer small doses of imagination with a street level feel.

You might also come out with a new piece for your collection!

Brighton’s Got Your Space

You don’t have to be a traditional artist to find a space that works for you in Brighton. You could be looking for an ergonomic desk or a rooftop with fairy lights to capture Instagram worthy images. You’ll find it all in one of the UK’s premier creative destinations.

Explore more tips for student life in Brighton, and take a closer look at our fantastic range of student properties in the city.

Ready to Tap Into Brighton’s Creative Nerve Centre?

You’ll never struggle for inspiration in this city, it’s just waiting for you to bring your own creative thoughts. From crafting to coding and everything in between, Brighton has a hub for you.

Catch you at the gallery, workshop, or maybe the next open mic night.