What’s On
Attenborough Arts Centre is the University of Leicester’s public venue for culture. We bring local, regional, national and international artists to present their work in Leicester and engage with our diverse audiences and communities.
us this season for an exciting
courses and learning programmes alongside many more opportunities to get involved!
Building
5pm
Exhibitions
Visit our exhibitions which showcase the work of leading contemporary visual artists, free of charge and open daily.
Tim Fowler: The Ground 18 October 2024 – 26 January 2025 Gallery 1 & 2, Free Entry
Leicester artist Tim Fowler presents a selection of paintings featuring new large scale works on public display here for the first time.
Entitled ‘The Ground’, after the name that many Bajans give to their gardens, the exhibition also features brand new work inspired by Tim’s recent trip to Andromeda Botanic Gardens in Barbados.
The exhibition is a continued evolution of Tim’s large-scale paintings, combined with
a personal exploration of his Bajan heritage leading back to its African origins through his botanical interest in migratory crops, traditional plants used by African slaves and those still used today by modern day Bajans.
Tim says it is important that the exhibition comes from a place of learning which represents his journey of discovery, referencing both the darker colonial history of the journey that his DNA has taken, as well as the cultural beauty expressed in the plants that he paints.
Image: Tim Fowler, Banana Canopy
Sabrina Tirvengadum
7 February - 6 April 2025
Gallery 2, Free Entry
Sabrina’s art delves into the complexities of her Mauritian family history, deeply influenced by the legacies of colonialism.
With a background in photographic arts and graphic design, her work challenges ableist systems and champions inclusivity in digital spaces.
Sabrina’s dynamic artistic practice
Gallery Opening Times
Weekdays: 12pm - 5pm
Weekends: 12pm - 4pm
Free for all
Image: Sabrina Tirvengadum, A Posh Summer
Crip Arte Spazio: The Disability Arts Movement in Venice
14 February - 11 May 2025
Gallery 1, Free Entry
The Disability Arts Movement aligned art with the fight for rights, broke barriers, and ultimately affected changes in UK law, while making great art about doing so.
Presented during the 60th Venice Biennale, the exhibition is a joyous and exuberant celebration of the Disability Arts Movement, showcasing its dynamism, wit, and grandeur. The exhibition reclaims historical slurs ‘Crip Arte Spazio’ in an unflinching explosion of
huge protest banners, cartoon panels, largescale projected artist films, photography, graphic novels, and campaign merchandise.
The title Crip Arte Spazio, translated as Crip Art Space, plays on Italian words while reclaiming slurs disabled people have historically and continue to face. We fully support the curators, artists and disabled people in the reclamation of these words.
Image: Crip Arte Spazio: The Disability Arts Movement in Venice, 2024, Curated By David Hevey
Get Involved Students
We have lots of opportunities for students to get involved in arts and culture, including Music Scholarships, Volunteering, Next Gen Creatives, Sunday Sessions and the student-led Creative Network.
For more information visit our website www.attenborougharts.com/students
Next Gen. Creatives
Aged 16-25? Attenborough Arts Centre’s
Next Gen. Creatives invites young people to shape our artistic programme, empowering them to become the next generation of artists, curators, performers and creative professionals.
To learn more and sign up, please contact nextgen@leicester.ac.uk
Inclusive Youth Arts Programme
We provide much-needed opportunities for children and young people with complex needs and disabilities to be creative outside of school, promoting their wellbeing and enjoyment of being with others. All our workshops and performances are free to people from Leicester and Leicestershire, and activities takes place at weekends and during school holidays. There are two groups for different age groups:
• ART explorers for under 18’s
• pARTicipate for 18 – 25’s with PMLD
For more information, please contact our Front of House team on 0116 252 2455 or hannah.pillai@leicester.ac.uk
Volunteering
Volunteers are important members of Attenborough Arts Centre front of house team. They are people who share a love of the arts, giving their time to contribute to the continued success of the centre.
Get involved today at www.attenborougharts.com/opportunities
School and Group Gallery Visits
We have opportunities for schools and groups to experience our galleries through organised visits. Tailored and facilitated sessions or self-led visits are available.
To learn more and to book, please contact arts-learning@leicester.ac.uk
Support Us
Attenborough Arts Centre’s mission is to make art accessible to all. As a not-for-profit organisation, we need to generate £600k in earned income and fundraising each year. We are grateful for the long-standing support of our patrons. Every donation, gift, and bequest enable our artistic vision to flourish.
Learn more at www.attenborougharts.com/support-us
Attenborough Café
Our café offers a relaxed seating area in which to enjoy a range of drinks, hot and cold bites to eat, cakes and snacks.
Open Monday – Friday, 9am – 4pm. Weekends and evenings have flexible opening hours.
Take Part Weekly
Family Gallery Workshops
Every Saturday during Exhibitions
1pm – 3pm, Free with Booking Required
Come and explore our exhibitions with our friendly Learning Team and use resources in the Salmon Gallery to respond creatively with your family.
Sunday Sessions
Every Sunday, Drop-in Sessions
12pm - 4pm, Free, Donations Welcome
Drop in and draw, play games, and explore our exhibitions, supported by our gallery team. All students and families welcome, suitable for all ages.
January
Attenborough Late Friday 24 January 7pm - 10pm, Pay What You Can Get ready for the return of Attenborough Late in a fun-packed after-hours art experience across our building! Our galleries and café will be buzzing with music, dance, performances and craft workshops, with a range of refreshments available for purchase.
Put on your favourite outfit and anticipate a vibrant, exploratory atmosphere teeming with good vibes to kick-start your weekend!
Performances
Our performance programme presents a diverse range of music, theatre, spoken word, dance and comedy events.
What’s On Key
Families Pay What You Can
Leicester Comedy Festival
BSL Interpreted
Weekly
Soundbites Lunchtime Concerts
Every Tuesday
12:15pm – 1:15pm, Free
A free lunchtime concert for all which takes place in our Hall – no booking required. Come alone or with friends, and you’re welcome to bring your lunch.
January
WORD! with Noé Ponte and Abi Willock
Thursday 30 January 7pm – 9pm, £7/£4
Experience an intimate setting where celebrated poets and emerging voices share their work.
February
BrightSparks Presents Comedy Asylum
Thursday 6 February 7pm – 9:30pm, Pay What You Can
A smorgasbord of sketches, songs and stand-up. Expect the usual irreverent improv, satire at our inclusive and thoroughly entertaining night. Also, there’s a raffle.
Image: WiFi Wars
Juliette Burton: Work In Progress
Friday 7 February
7pm – 8pm, £5
Join this “huge talent”, “Queen of the Outcasts” and “mad harpy” to reclaim your power. If you’ve ever felt “othered”, join Juliette as she explores anOTHER way.
14/48 Takeover Workshops
8, 9, 15 & 16 February
10am - 12pm & 1pm - 3pm, £20
Young writers aged 8-12 get the chance to produce four new plays, brought to life in person for family audiences.
WiFi Wars
Saturday 8 February
2:30pm – 3:30pm, £10/£40 Family of Four WiFi Wars returns with the live comedy game show where you all play along! Log in with your phone and compete to win the show.
A.L.Ex & The ImpRobots
Present: An AI Show for Kids!
Sunday 9 February
11am – 12pm, £10/£7
Closed Captioning
Sixty minutes of hilarious fast-paced interactive science theatre for the whole family featuring real robots, AI and laughs.
Edy Hurst’s Wonderfull Discoverie of Witches in the Countie of Himself
Thursday 13 February
7pm – 8pm, £10/£8
Grab your broom sticks and join us on a journey of self-discoverie through the Witch Trials, the Vengaboys and nothing else.
Dan Nicholas’ Birthday Party
Saturday 15 February
1pm – 2pm, £7
Fun for the whole family, teams will battle it out in competitive party games to see who is the victor.
Ingenious Fools Ltd Presents Queer Tales For Autistic Folk
Saturday 15 February 7pm – 8pm, £7
Join Cerys Bradley and their wonderful, expansive, interactive choose-your-ownstory comedy show.
Any Suggestions, Doctor? The Improvised Doctor Who Parody
Sunday 16 February
4pm – 5pm & 7pm – 8pm
£10/£8/£32 Family of Four
Go on an adventure through time and space with a live radiophonic workshop and a hilarious improv cast in this loving parody of the sci-fi classic Doctor Who.
The Extraordinary Time-Travelling Adventures of Baron Munchausen
Wednesday 19 February
11am – 12pm & 1pm – 2pm, £7
There will be pirates, princesses, swordfights and spacemen, as top comedians tell extravagant stories for families.
Image: Piano Day 2025
FailFailFailFailWin
Thursday 20 February
11:30am – 12:30pm & 2pm – 3pm, £7
Mark and Loz are circus performers. But circus is REALLY hard. This is a show about not hiding all the “try”s hat didn’t work.
Mr Sleepybum’s Dream Machine by Jody Kamali
Friday 21 February
11am – 12pm & 2pm – 3pm, £8/£7
A zany, high-energy kids’ comedy about an inventor who can’t sleep or dream! He builds a wacky dream machine that creates outrageous, hilarious dreams.
Big Difference Present
Laugh Academy Showcase
Friday 21 February
11 - 14 Years, 6:30pm – 7:30pm, £5
15 - 18 Years, 8pm - 9pm, £5
A showcase of young talent as participants take to the stage and perform comedy, some of them, for the very first time. Come and spot the stars of tomorrow!
14/48 Takeover
Sunday 23 February 6pm - 7pm, Pay What You Can The World’s Quickest Theatre Festival written by Young People.
When the World Turns By Oily Cart & Polyglot Theatre
Friday 28 February 10:45am, 1:30pm & 4:30pm Pay What You Can
Immersed amongst hundreds of real plants, watch, hear and feel as music, puppets, sounds, scents and shadows come to life.
Image: Moxie Brawl presents Punk Alley. Credit: Rosie Powell
Image: The Detective Dog by Tiny & Tall Productions
March
Great Big Tiny World By Oily Cart
Saturday 1 March
9:15am - 10am & 10:30am - 11:15am
Pay What You Can
Settle in amongst hundreds of real plants, to watch, hear and feel the world come to life all around you.
Good For A Girl
Friday 7 & Saturday 8 March
7pm – 8:30pm, Pay What You Can
A dynamic, comedic and hard-hitting play revealing the highs and lows of women in football, celebrating their resilience whilst exposing the inequalities they face.
April
Apittame x Murzim Presents
This Is Where You Belong
Saturday 12 April
2pm – 5pm, Pay What You Can
Celebrating community and featuring live performances, exploring finding your tribe and the importance of connection.
The Detective Dog by Tiny & Tall Productions
Saturday 26 & Sunday 27 April
1pm - 2pm & 3pm - 4pm, Pay What You Can
BSL Interpreted & Creative Captions
Join us for Julia Donaldson and Sara Ogilvie’s well-loved story, on stage for Deaf and hearing family audiences.
WORD! International Women’s Day Special
Thursday 27 March
7pm - 9pm, £7/£4
Don’t miss out on this extraordinary celebration of poetry and spoken word, celebrating women all around the world.
Piano Day 2025: Seaming To, Leon Michener, and Adam Weikert
Friday 28 March
7pm – 10pm, £10/£8/£5
Come and celebrate Piano Day Eve with three compelling and unique performances.
A trilogy of celebrations for the stunning instrument that is the Piano.
Moxie Brawl Presents Punk Alley
Sunday 30 March
2pm – 3pm, Pay What You Can
BSL Interpreted
A unapologetic joyride of live original punk music and high energy dance. But don’t leave your adults at home – this is a show for everyone.
May
Elf Lyons: Horses
Wednesday 21 May
8pm - 9:50pm, £15
The first ever comedy show performed entirely by a horse. Made by award-winning Elf Lyons, performed by Treacle.
Pay What You Can
We believe that everyone should be able to access the arts so we have ‘Pay What You Can’, meaning that you decide how much you can or want to pay.
This expands access to the arts or gives others the chance to support those who cannot by paying a bit extra.
Creative Courses and
Workshops
Each term we offer an extensive range of creative courses and workshops led by experienced tutors, many of whom are inspiring artists and makers themselves.
Adventures in Art
Tuesdays, January – April
10am – 12pm, £10/£6 per session
Adventures in Art is our fun, informal, weekly art workshop for adults. We have a variety of tutors who offer a new creative discipline every 3-4 weeks.
Drawing and Painting
Introduction to Abstract Painting
Mondays, 13 January – 10 February 10am – 1pm, £100/£75
Develop your own approach while familiarising yourself with the work of some of the most prominent abstract artists.
Painting Problems:
Tabletop Inspiration
Wednesdays, 15 January – 26 February 10am – 1pm, £140/£105
Explore the idea of the tabletop as a stage for painting, curated to a different theme each week. Suitable anyone seeking to break new ground with their practice.
Inspired by Words and Music
Wednesdays, 15 January – 26 March 1:30pm – 4:30pm, £195/£145
Be inspired by words, text, music and sound to create expressive pictures in a variety of media. With demonstrations of techniques, you’ll be shown examples of other artists’ work as inspiration.
Problem & Criticism
Thursdays, 16 January – 6 March
Or Thursdays, 23 January – 6 March 10:30am – 12pm, £70/£55
Join with other artists to develop your critical skills and become more confident in your ability to develop your own artistic style.
Thursday Sketchbook Sessions
Thursdays, 16 January – 27 March 2pm – 4:30pm, £160/£120
Learn tips and tricks to fuel your passion for sketching and to help keep a sketchbook as part of your creative life.
Hand Lettering and Modern Calligraphy
Saturdays, 18 January – 1 February 10:30am – 12:30pm, £55/£40
Learn how to write in the modern calligraphy type and harness your own style, using different mediums and surfaces.
Drawing and Painting in a Botanical Style
Mondays, 27 January – 7 April 10am – 1pm, £195/£145
This course provides an insight into the beautiful process of botanical drawing and painting.
Expressive Watercolour Landscapes
Saturday 15 March 10:30am – 4:30pm, £80/£60
Explore ways to make expressive landscape paintings using watercolours and experimenting by incorporating other media.
Digital Art: An Intermediate Course for iPad and Procreate in a Gallery Setting
Saturdays, 29 March – 5 April 10:30am – 1pm, £60/£45
If you have an iPad and Apple Pencil, and are wondering how to further your digital artistic journey then this course is for you.
Life Drawing
Independent Life Drawing
Tuesdays, January – March 6pm – 8pm, £12/£9 per session
We provide the studio, the model and the easel so you can book dates, week by week, when it suits you to practice your life drawing in a supportive environment.
Weekly Life Drawing Classes
Fridays, January – March 6pm – 8pm, £20/£15 per session
Ideal for complete beginners or more experienced artists seeking a flexible opportunity to do some life drawing with experienced models and a professional tutor.
Life Drawing: The Painted Nude
Fridays, 17 January – 28 March 2pm – 4:30pm, £195/£145
Explore a wide range of drawing and painting methods to gain a greater understanding of the use of colour and light to express the human form.
Life Drawing Masterclass
Saturday 1 February 10:30am – 4pm, £80/£60
Explore a wide range of styles and techniques to draw and paint the human figure, challenging your own practice to feel a sense of personal discovery.
Portraiture Workshop
Saturday 8 March 10:30am – 4pm, £80/£60
Through a whole series of drawing exercises, explore a wide variety of methods of seeing and therefore drawing the portrait from a live model.
Life Drawing for Absolute Beginners
Saturday 29 March
10:30am – 4pm, £80/£60
An intensive workshop designed for total beginners, where you will be shown tried and tested methods of rendering the life model using a variety of drawing media.
Printmaking
Linocut Shaped Plates and Stamps
Fridays, 28 February – 28 March
6pm – 8:30pm, £100/£75
Create your own extraordinary plates and stamps while working intuitively and organically to build interesting compositions for your prints.
Exploring Collagraphs
Wednesdays, 5 March – 14 May 10am – 12:30pm, £195/£145
Create a collagraph plate from layered card plates to creating texture through sgraffito techniques and found materials.
Botanical Linocuts
Friday 4 April 10am – 4pm, £80/£60
Be inspired by different species of leaves, plants and flowers to create a unique botanical linocut.
Image:
Sculptural Ceramics
Sculpture and Pottery
Experiments in Sculpture
Mondays, 13 January – 24 March
Or Thursdays, 16 January – 27 March 6:30pm – 9pm, £195/£145
Develop sculptural ideas and experiment with form, initially through drawing and model making, before finalising and finishing a unique piece.
Pottery: Intermediate Hand Building
Tuesdays, 14 January – 25 March 1pm – 4pm, £195/£145
An inspiring afternoon class for anyone who is proficient in all hand building techniques and a desire to express yourself through clay.
Pottery: Beginners Hand Building
Tuesdays, 14 January – 25 March 5pm – 8pm, £195/£145
An inspiring evening class for anyone who would like to try pottery. Learn the hand building processes and decorative techniques.
Sculptural Ceramics
Thursdays, 16 January – 27 March 10am – 12:30pm, £195/£145
Work exclusively with clay to create sculptural work, using a variety of techniques in a very supportive environment.
Textiles and Needle Crafts
Beginners Sewing Day
Saturday 25 January 10:30am – 5pm, £80/£60
Had a sewing machine collecting dust and need a little help to get started? This is the workshop for you!
Exploring Texture with Punch Needle
Saturday 1 February
10am – 4:30pm, £60/£45
Explore the versatility of the humble punch needle tool to create a piece of 8” wall art full of texture and interest.
An Introduction to Patchwork and Quilting
Wednesdays, 16 February – 26 March
10am – 12:30pm, £100/£75
Try patchwork and quilting for the first time and discover the modern way to make timeless heirlooms.
Marvellous Macrame Makes
Tuesdays, 25 February – 25 March
5:30pm – 8:30pm, £100/£75
Five fab weeks of macrame makes including coasters, jewellery, bunting, plant hangers and more.
Modern Punch Needle:
Colouring with Yarn
Saturday 1 March
10:30am – 1:30pm, £30/£25
Create your own wonderfully textured piece of wall art in this beginner’s class.
Beginners Crochet
Wednesdays, 19 March – 9 April 6pm – 8pm, £60/£45
New to crochet? This is the perfect four-week course for total beginners to start their crochet adventure.
Modern Punch Needle Embroidery
Saturday 29 March
10:30am – 1:30pm, £30/£25
Not only will you learn a new skill, you’ll also enjoy the wellbeing elements of this incredibly therapeutic and rhythmic craft.
Macrame Wall Hanging Workshop
Tuesday 1 April 5:30pm – 8:30pm, £25/£20
Macrame is great for mindfulness and perfect after a day at work. Requires just a pair of scissors and cord to make a new home accessory.
Creative Writing
The Joy of Creative Writing
Thursdays, 23 January – 27 March 6pm – 8pm, £120/£90
Using music, visual arts, tangible objects, the great outdoors and much more, we will work to discover your creative voice.
Apittame Arts: Creative Writing
Group – Theme Love
Saturday 15 February
2pm – 4:30pm, Pay What You Can
Join us for an evening of writing and exploration. No need to be a literary genius, just grab a pen and paper. Let’s delve into the realms of love and its many forms together.
Image: Expressive Watercolour Landscapes
Metal and Glass
Fused Glass Discovery Workshop
Saturday 1 March or Friday 11 April 10:30am – 4:30pm, £80/£60
Explore the techniques of glass fusing to produce unique pieces including a coaster, a light-catcher and a shaped piece like a bowl.
Small Scale Metalworking: Create a Copper Foldformed Leaf Garland or Decorative Stem
Saturday 8 March 10:30am – 4pm, £80/£60
Learn the basics of metalworking as you progress through the project, to create life-like leaves.
Wonderful Wire Working
Saturday 12 April 10:30am – 3pm, £60/£45
Think of the wire as a pencil line and then take it for a walk! Using wire, as you would draw a line, is an engaging way of creating a unique artwork.
Art History: Art, Museums and Repatriation: The Complexities of Ownership Disputes
Wednesdays, 15 January – 12 February 1pm – 3pm, £40/£30
Exploring the often tricky and sometimes controversial debates around art ownership, historical legacies and repatriation.
Art History: Contemporary Approaches to Traditional Techniques
Wednesdays, 26 February – 2 April 1pm – 3pm, £40/£30
Explore how contemporary artists are re-engaging with time-honoured techniques to create unique and enduring works.
We aim to make all our performances, courses, workshops and events as accessible as possible.
Personal assistants are welcome – just remember to book their free place when you book your tickets.
Image: Small Scale Metalworking
Attenborough Shop
Our little shop offers a big range of ever-changing craft, design-led products, jewellery, books, homewares, gifts, children’s products, stationery, cards, art materials and more. We also stock lots of seasonal goodies and exhibition merchandise at different times of the year.
We’re open 7 days a week so whether you need an emergency birthday card, a unique gift or a new notebook for work, pop in and we’re confident you’ll find just the thing.
Craft & Art Fairs
Our popular Craft & Art Fairs return in 2025 to showcase the work of some of the best local and regional craft makers and artists. Book your ticket in advance. Children go free.
All funds raised from both our shop and Craft & Art Fairs support our ongoing work to ensure the arts are accessible to all.
Learn more and book by visiting www.attenborougharts.com/whats-on
Upcoming Dates
Saturday 3 May 2025, 11am-4pm Saturday 1 November 2025, 11am-4pm
If you’re a craft maker or artist and would be interested in selling at the Craft & Art Fairs, please email kate.foster@leicester.ac.uk for further details.
Venue Hire
Attenborough Arts Centre can provide a unique and creative setting for your event.
Our studio and performance spaces can be hired by arts and other organisations, businesses and individuals for a wide range of events and activities.
We currently host lots of different groups who use our spaces for one-off and regular bookings including concerts, music lessons, dance and yoga classes, business meetings and symposiums, training and development, art workshops, poetry and book groups and so much more.
The venue is open 7 days a week throughout the year. We only close during University of Leicester closure periods, including Bank Holidays, Easter weekend and Christmas and New Year, and we can open into the evening by prior arrangement.
The building is accessible including a Changing Places bathroom. Visitors can also enjoy our shop, café, contemporary gallery and family gallery spaces. After 5pm on weekdays and throughout the weekend we can offer free parking in adjacent University of Leicester car parks.
All the first floor spaces are accessible via lift, stairs and an external ramp.
Interested?
To find out more and enquire, please email hireattenborough@le.ac.uk and one of our team will be in touch.
Learn more at www.attenborougharts.com/venue-hire
Hireable Spaces
Main Hall
Ground Floor
Located next to the cafe, the hall is our largest hireable space. This is our theatre and performance space and includes lighting, sound and staging options.
Studio 1
First Floor
This open studio space is ideal for dance and yoga classes, performance rehearsals, music, writing and spoken word groups, or meetings and training sessions.
Studio 3
First Floor
A flexible space suitable for art activities, workshops, and meetings, this space has two accessible sinks and natural lighting.
Studio 4
First Floor
Suitable for art activities, workshops, and meetings, this space has large windows, and flexible seating arrangements.
Attenborough Arts Centre
Lancaster Road, Leicester, LE1 7HA
www.attenborougharts.com
arts-centre@le.ac.uk
0116 252 2455
Parking
We have four blue badge parking spaces, plus double yellow line roadside parking for blue badge holders for up to three hours if our parking spaces are occupied.
Free parking for all customers is available after 5pm on weekdays and all day at weekends in the University of Leicester car park next door to Attenborough Arts Centre on Lancaster Road.
The closest public car park for parking at all other times is Victoria Park, 5-10 minutes walk from the centre.
Access
Attenborough Arts Centre is an accessible building. We have available:
• Induction loop systems
• Braille and large print gallery guides
• Selected BSL interpreted performances
• Wheelchair accessible toilets
• A spacious adult changing facility with a height-adjustable changing bed, hoist and shower
• Free tickets available to personal assistants and essential companions.
