What’s On Summer 2025
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. Join us this season for an exciting range of exhibitions, performances, creative courses and learning programmes alongside many more opportunities to get involved!
Building Opening Times
Weekdays: 9am - 5pm
Weekends: 10am - 5pm
Art Galleries Opening Times
Weekdays: 12pm - 5pm Weekends: 12pm - 4pm
Exhibitions
Visit our exhibitions which showcase the work of leading contemporary visual artists, free of charge and open daily.
Crip Arte Spazio: The Disability Arts Movement in Venice
14 February - 11 May 2025 Gallery 1, Free Entry
The Disability Arts Movement [DAM] aligned art with the fight for rights, broke barriers, and ultimately affected changes in UK law, while making great art about doing so.
Previously on show at 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, large-scale 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
The Empire’s Old Clothes by whats thebigmistry
24 April - 29 June 2025 Gallery 2, Free Entry
The Empire’s Old Clothes is artist Priya Mistry’s first solo exhibition and is centred around a short non-linear film which challenges the insidious myths and propaganda around the ‘British Empire’, drawing on influences, aesthetics and politics from Indian and Afro-Futurism, queer culture, and experiences of ableism and racism in post-Empire Brexit-Britain.
The Empire’s Old Clothes is at once a provocation and an invitation to re-think and re-write ‘histories’, to demand change and define what it really means to take action against racism.
The Empire’s Old Clothes was originally commissioned in 2022 by Unlimited and Disability Arts Online (DAO) in response to
the Queen’s Honours List. It was brought about specifically because Unlimited’s Senior Producer was awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire), which she accepted - a controversial decision.
The work was briefly presented at The Southbank Centre in September 2022 but rapidly cancelled from the programme within hours of the death of Queen Elizabeth.
Gallery Opening Times
Weekdays: 12pm - 5pm
Weekends: 12pm - 4pm Free for all
Image: Empire’s Old Clothes. Artist: whats the big mistry. Image: Simon Alleyne, Laser Breasts
Upcoming Events
Attenborough Late: curated by whats thebigmistry x Attenborough Arts Centre
Friday 9 May
6pm - 10pm, Pay What You Can
Join us for our ever-popular Attenborough Late, a fun-packed after-hours art experience the takes over our whole building.
This edition will be in collaboration with artist whats the bigmistry for an evening of music, performance and art to celebrate and reimagine Black / Brown JOY.
This project is part of a socially engaged multi-city programme of activities, public events and parties, exploring and evoking acts of decolonisation and communing.
Craft & Art Fair
Saturday 3 May
11am - 4pm, Pay What You Can
Our popular Craft & Art Fair returns to showcase the work of some of the best local and regional craft makers and artists.
Meet, browse and buy from over 50 selected exhibitors at each fair, showcasing some of the best jewellery, glass, ceramics, textiles, printmaking, painting, wood, stationery, homewares, accessories, artisan foods and more from across our region.
Our galleries, shop and café will also be open for a full day experience of the centre.
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 exhibitions through organised visits. Tailored and facilitated sessions or self-led visits are also 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, Pay What You Can
Come and explore our exhibitions with our friendly Learning Team and use resources in the Salmon Gallery to explore through a range of creative workshops.
Each week brings something new inspired by our gallery exhibitions - perfect for families and children.
Workshops are free for all but we offer Pay What You Can tickets to help support the continuation of this work for our communities.
Sunday Sessions
Every Sunday, Drop-in Sessions 12pm - 4pm, Free Donations Welcome
Come and enjoy fun and engaging creative activities in our café. Enjoy crafting, board games and more with each week offering up new and exciting activities that everyone can get involved with.
Drop in and draw, play games, and explore our exhibitions, supported by our gallery team. All students and families welcome, suitable for all ages.
Performances
Our performance programme presents a diverse range of music, theatre, spoken word, dance and comedy events.
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.
April
The Butterfly Boudoir: Burlesque & Bellydance Showcase
Saturday 5 April 7pm – 9:45pm, £13
Flutter over to the Butterfly Boudoir for an evening of costumes, parody, and burlesque tease.
Simon Munnery: On Tour
Friday 11 April 8pm – 9:40pm, £16
Expect all your classic Munnery one-liners, sketches and anecdotes from the British Comedy Award nominee, serial innovator and ‘Perennial fringe maverick’ (Guardian).
Image: Elf Lyons: Horses
Apittame x Murzim Presents
This Is Where You Belong
Saturday 12 April
2pm - 5pm, Pay What You Can
An all-ages showcase celebrating community and belonging with live performances.
WORD! with Everyone Needs a Disco Ball: Launch Party!
Thursday 24 April
7pm - 9pm, £7/£4/£20 for Family of Four
Join WORD! With Rob Gee and friends for the launch of ‘Everyone Needs a Disco Ball’ and put the pop back into poetry!
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.
May
An Evening of Kathak Dance featuring Dheerendra Tiwari
Sunday 4 May, 4pm – 6pm
£12.50/£10/£8/£20 for Family of Four
Experience graceful movements and expressive storytelling, as the performance embodies the beauty of Kathak.
OfTheJackel presents Plant
Sunday 11 May, Pay What You Can 11:30am -12:30pm & 2pm – 3pm
Deaf Accessibility Built-In
A squirrel hides a nut from a nosy pigeon inadvertently planting a tree in the process. Plant is a tender comic celebration of the natural world, abundance and sharing.
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.
Leicester Jazz House presents Dorian Ford, Solo Piano, “Köln Concert 50”
Thursday 15 May
8pm – 10:30pm, £14/£5
Marking the 50th anniversary of Keith Jarrett’s iconic improvised Köln Concert, jazz pianist Dorian Ford recreates and pays tribute to honour this remarkable work.
Seth Kriebel and Zoe Bouras presents Faust
Friday 16 May 7pm – 8pm, Pay What You Can Come right in. Have a seat. Name your price. Faust is a new, interactive twist on the classic tale of a deal with the devil.
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.
Share Project presents ‘Don’t Tell Me Show Me’
Saturday 24 May 2pm – 4pm, Free, BSL Interpreted Deaf community member Jackie Perkins and artist Emma Fay will be hosting a discussion event to open up a conversation around Deaf access to the arts.
WORD! Pride Special
Thursday 29 May
7pm – 9pm, £7/£4/£20 for Family of Four
Don’t miss out on this extraordinary celebration of poetry and spoken word. Mark your calendars and be part of an evening that will inspire, uplift and celebrate LGBTQia communities.
June
At The Y Theatre, Leicester
Shlomo’s Beatbox Adventure for Kids
Sunday 1 June 4:30pm – 5:30pm, £12
Join world record-breaking beatboxer SK Shlomo (they/them) who makes amazing music with just a mouth and a mic, and has performed around the world with legends like Bjork, Ed Sheeran and Rudimental.
14/48 Leicester
Friday 6 & Saturday 7 June
8pm – 10pm & 10:30pm – 12:30am Pay What You Can
70 theatre makers come together to create 14 brand new plays in just 48 hours. It’s raw, dirty, punk rock theatre. What will happen? There’s only one way to find out!
The Butterfly Boudoir: Burlesque & Bellydance Showcase
Saturday 21 June 7pm – 9:45pm, £13
Flutter over to the Butterfly Boudoir for an evening of costumes, parody, and burlesque tease.
WORD!, Renaissance One and BrightSparks present - Windrush Day with John Agard and Friends
Sunday 22 June, 3pm – 4:30pm
£6 Advance/£10/£4/£20 for Family of Four
A special event celebrating Windrush Day and the poetry and words of international poet John Agard plus local poet sensations.
Image:
Seth Kriebel and Zoe Bouras presents Faust
Sitar Society presents Baithak Series 2025: Indian Classical Music
Saturday 28 June 6:30pm – 8:30pm, £12/£10
An unmissable opportunity for you to enjoy an evening of Indian classical by outstanding UK-based musicians.
July
At The Botanic Garden
The Duke’s Theatre Company Presents Macbeth
Wednesday 9 & Thursday 10 July 6pm – 8pm, £20/£18 for Under 16 or Over 65/£90 for Groups of 6
A dynamic reimagining of Shakespeare’s classic tragedy. Bold and innovative interpretations, the company brings a contemporary edge to the dark tale of ambition, murder, and madness.
Sitar Society presents Homage to Gurus
Saturday 12 July 1pm – 5pm, £12 / £10
An annual celebration of Guru Purnima – a special day between students and their teachers.
August
Apittame Arts Watches:
The Wiz 1978
Saturday 16 August 2pm – 5pm, Pay What You Can
A night of music, magic, and Black cinematic excellence! Whether it’s your first time or a rewatch celebrate this classic with us.
Creative Courses and
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 Workshops
Tuesdays, April - August 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, including painting, sculpture, printmaking and more.
Sculpture and Pottery
Pottery: Intermediate Hand Building
Tuesdays, 6 May – 15 July 1pm – 4pm, £195/£145
An inspiring class for anyone who is proficient in all hand building techniques with a desire to express yourself through clay.
Pottery: Beginners Hand Building
Tuesdays, 6 May – 15 July 5pm – 8pm, £195/£145
An inspiring evening class for anyone who would like to try pottery. Learn the processes and decorative techniques.
Experiments in Sculpture
Thursdays, 8 May – 10 July, 6:30pm – 9pm £195/£145 (10 week course) or Mondays, 12 May – 7 July, 6:30pm – 9pm £156/£117 (8 week course)
Develop sculptural ideas and experiment with form, initially through drawing and model making, before finalising and finishing a unique piece.
Sculptural Ceramics
Thursdays, 8 May – 10 July 10am – 12:30pm, £195/£145
Work exclusively with clay to create sculptural work, using a variety of techniques in a very supportive environment.
Mini Shrine Making
Saturday 21 June 10:30am – 1:30pm, £30/£25
Using old boxes and food packaging, tutor Bean-Mhi will show you how to create a joyful shrine to whatever you want, whether it’s nature, a beloved pet or even yourself!
Metalwork and Glass
Fused Glass Taster Workshops
Saturday 10 May, £40/£30
10:30am – 12:30pm or 1:30pm – 3:30pm
Learn about working with fused glass in this relaxing 2-hour taster workshop - no experience required.
Wax Carved Cast Jewellery
Saturdays, 17 May – 31 May
10:30am – 4:30pm, £150/£110
Explore the ancient art of wax carving to design, measure, sculpt, size and finish a bespoke piece of contemporary jewellery.
Wire Wild Flowers
Saturday 26 July
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.
Textiles and Needle Crafts
Slow Stitched Sashiko-Style Pouch
Saturday 10 May
10:30am – 2:30pm, £40/£30
Use a patchwork of upcycled fabrics to create a Sashiko-style pouch. This mindful practice is so easy to pick up and can be used to repair clothing and make a wide range of textile pieces.
Folk Art Felt Decorations
Saturday 24 May
10:30am – 4:30pm, £60/£45
Spend a relaxed day creating bright felt birds, hearts, flowers or your own designs, embellished with folk-style embroidery.
Exploring Texture with Punch Needle
Friday 30 May 10am – 4:30pm, £60/£45
Explore the versatility of the humble punch needle tool to create a piece of 6” wall art full of texture and interest.
Wet Felted Landscape Pictures
Friday 13 June 10:30am – 4:30pm, £80/£60
Enjoy a fun and creative day ‘painting with wool’… Explore the ancient art of wet felting, and leave with a beautiful piece of felted art to be proud of!
Punch Needle Summer
Accessories Workshop
Saturday 5 July
10:30am – 2:30pm, £25/£25
Create your own funky punch needle bag charm or key ring in this fun half day workshop.
Drawing and Painting
Islamic Geometry for Beginners
Thursday 24 April 10am – 1pm, £30/£25
A practical introduction to Islamic geometry using a ruler, compass and watercolour to create a unique piece to take home.
Problem & Criticism
Thursdays, 1 May – 10 July
Or Thursdays, 8 May – 10 July 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, 8 May – 10 July 2pm – 4:30pm, £195/£145
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
Saturday 10 May 10:30am – 4:30pm, £50/£40
A one-day workshop to teach youhow to write beautifully! Learn about modern calligraphy type and harness your own style, using different mediums and surfaces.
The Abstract Garden
Wednesdays, 14 May – 18 June 10am – 1pm, £120/£90
Experiment with a variety of media, considering shape, colour and texture, to create contemporary abstract gardeninspired pieces.
Pet Portrait Painting in Oils
Fridays, 13 June – 11 July 10am – 1pm, £120/£90
Discover the art of oil portraiture and take your painting skills to the next level with this hands-on pet portraiture course.
Image: The Abstract Garden
Digital Art: A Beginners Course for iPad and Procreate in a Gallery Setting
Saturdays, 5, 12 & 19 July
10:30am – 1pm, £20/£15 per session
If you have an iPad and Apple Pencil and are wondering how to start your digital artistic journey, then these are the workshops for you!
Painting and Drawing in the Botanic Gardens
Monday 11 – Wednesday 13 August
10am – 3:30pm, £175/£135
Spend three days immersed in the University of Leicester’s Botanic Garden as you experiment with different drawing, painting and mixed media approaches.
Printmaking
Block Printing for Beginners
Friday 25 April
10am – 2:30pm, £50/£40
Use lino to carve your very own block and use repetition, rotation and overlaying to print patterns onto paper or fabric in this one-day printing workshop.
Print a Garden
Monday 19 May
10am – 4:30pm, £80/£60
Discover the art of botanical printing in this calming workshop, where you will be introduced to making an impression using plants, paint and gelli plates to print a garden.
Landscapes in Lino
Wednesdays, 21 May – 11 June 10am – 1pm, £80/£60
Learn how to carve your lino using directional lines and explore the technique chine-collé to create a series of landscape prints.
Botanical Monoprinting
Saturday 31 May 10:30am – 3pm, £50/£40
Experiment with exciting ways to create a monoprint through layering found objects and creating stencils to produce your own unique botanical themed monoprint.
Music and Dance
Jazz Performance
Mondays, 28 April - 14 July
7:30pm – 9pm, £100/£75
Gain confidence in your ability to improvise and perform in a jazz group and learn tunes from the jazz repertoire.
Seated Swans
Tuesdays, 13 May – 10 June 10am – 11am, £10/£7.50
Developed from the popularity of the Royal Academy of Dance Silver Swans, Seated Swans brings the joy of movement and the physical benefits of classical dance to those with less mobility. No experience required.
Dance to the Movies and Musicals
Tuesdays, 13 May – 10 June 11:30am – 12:30pm, £10/£7.50
Like to dance and love a musical? This class is for you! Learn a fun routine inspired by the musicals or films from Saturday Night Fever to High Society! No experience required.
Blues Guitar
Saturdays, 21 June – 19 July 11am – 12:30pm, £50/£35
Come on a journey through all the shades of blue from Robert Johnson to Stevie Ray Vaughan and beyond. Whether you’re new or experienced, if you love the blues this is for you. For guitarists of any level.
Art History
Art History: War, Peace and Reconstruction: International Art
Before and After 1945
Wednesdays, 7 May – 9 July 10:30am – 12pm, £80/£60
At a time of commemoration and anniversaries, this 10-week series of lectures surveys the international art scene around 1945 reflecting on the impact of war and political change.
Art History: Painting the People: The Practice and Politics of Social Realism in Art
Wednesdays, 7 May – 4 June 1pm – 3pm, £40/£30
This five-week series of seminars will explore the emergence, spread and meaning of social realism in art.
Art History: How to Look at Ruins: Interpreting Ruined Sites in Britain and Beyond
Wednesdays, 11 June – 9 July 1pm – 3pm, £40/£30
Combining aesthetics with history, this series of seminars offers a practical and appreciative exploration of looking at ruins.
Creative Writing and Poetry
An Introduction to Spoken Word Poetry
Thursdays, 8 May – 10 July 6pm – 8pm, £120/£90
A combination of both guided listening and critical appreciation of some of the best known spoken word performers currently working in the UK, and a creative writing class.
Apittame Arts: Creative Writing Session
Sunday 25 May or Sunday 29 June 3pm – 4:30pm, Pay What You Can No Pressure, no judgement - just an afternoon of writing, exploring, and connecting with likeminded creatives through guided prompts and different techniques.
Devising Theatre with Collaborative Writing
Thursdays, 12 June - 17 July 6pm – 8pm, £75/£55
Explore the world of devised theatre and unleash your creativity in our new collaborative writing and devised theatre course.
Get Writing! A One-Day Workshop to Kickstart Your Creative Writing Journey
Saturday 14 June 10:30am – 4:30pm, £60/£45
If you have ever wanted to try your hand at creative writing then this is the workshop for you!
Life
Drawing
Independent Life Drawing
Tuesdays, April - June 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.
Life Drawing for Absolute Beginners
Saturday 26 April 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.
Weekly Life Drawing Classes
Fridays, May - July
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.
Expressive Life Drawing
Fridays, 9 May – 18 July
2pm – 4:30pm, £195/£145
With artist and expert tutor Scott Bridgwood, explorie the more expressive means of depicting the human figure.
Portraiture Workshop
Saturday 17 May 10:30am – 4pm, £80/£60
Through a series of drawing exercises, explore a wide variety of methods of seeing and drawing the portrait from a live model.
Life Drawing Masterclass
Saturday 14 June 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.
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.
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
