The People's Republic of Stokes Croft (PRSC) is a community organisation based in the

Stokes Croft Stokes Croft is a road in Bristol, England. It is part of the A38, a main road north of the city centre. Locals refer to the area around the road by the same name. The road became a centre of industry during the mid-19th century, including the ...

area of

Bristol Bristol () is a city, ceremonial county and unitary authority in England. Situated on the River Avon, it is bordered by the ceremonial counties of Gloucestershire to the north and Somerset to the south. Bristol is the most populous city in ...

, England. It was launched 22 September 2007, by founding member and current chairman Chris Chalkley. Its main aim is to "provide benefit to The Community by promoting the interests of the area", which include creativity, culture and the local economy. The mission of the PRSC is to help Stokes Croft to recognise its special qualities, by improving the streetscape through direct action, and creating a sense of identity. It has been successful in getting local people involved in how their area is developed, and encouraging and commissioning

street art Street art is visual art created in public locations for public visibility. It has been associated with the terms "independent art", "post-graffiti", "neo-graffiti" and guerrilla art. Street art has evolved from the early forms of defiant graff ...

which has improved the appearance of formerly derelict buildings. The People's Republic of Stokes Croft rent studio space to local artists, filmmakers, and media creators. The organisation is 'leading efforts to protect this unique area of Bristol from the creeping gentrification that's slowly making most of urban Britain look like a paved shopping centre forecourt.' The PRSC is partially funded by Stokes Croft China, 35 Jamaica Street. This shop sells bespoke English fine bone china, which is decorated in Stokes Croft with salvaged ceramic transfers combined with the art and politics of Stokes Croft. The china is produced by local artists on a voluntary basis. Stokes Croft China's customers have included

Stanley Donwood Dan Rickwood (born 29 October 1968), known professionally as Stanley Donwood, is an English artist and writer. Since 1994, he has created all the artwork for the rock band Radiohead with their singer Thom Yorke, plus Yorke's other projects. He ...

Bristol City Museum Bristol Museum & Art Gallery is a large museum and art gallery in Bristol, England. The museum is situated in Clifton, about from the city centre. As part of Bristol Culture it is run by the Bristol City Council with no entrance fee. It holds ...

and

Victoria and Albert Museum The Victoria and Albert Museum (often abbreviated as the V&A) in London is the world's largest museum of applied arts, decorative arts and design, housing a permanent collection of over 2.27 million objects. It was founded in 1852 and nam ...

In 2011, a poster commemorating the recent riots in the area was created by local artist Banksy, with some of the proceeds of its sale going towards the PRSC.

References

Organisations based in Bristol {{UK-org-stub