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The Attenborough Arts Centre is an arts centre on Lancaster Road, Leicester, United Kingdom. [1] It is the University of Leicester arts centre but also serves Leicester as a whole. The centre's access and inclusive work has been recognised, through multiple awards and grants from Arts Council England, BBC Children in Need, LeicesterShire Promotions, Art Fund and Paul Hamlyn Foundation. [2] [3]
The centre is inspired by the work of filmmaker, actor and patron of the arts Richard Attenborough. It was opened in 1997 by Diana, Princess of Wales, after six years of funding efforts from Attenborough, just three months before her death. [4]
With an increase in attendances and a greater demand for a gallery space in Leicester, in 2012 plans were announced for a new 300 square meters of exhibition space to be built on the east side of the building. On 17 November 2015, Sir Peter Bazalgette and Michael Attenborough opened the Attenborough Arts Centre's new £1.5 million art gallery, one of the largest contemporary art galleries in the region. The building was funded by over 1,000 public donations, Arts Council England and the University of Leicester. [5]
In March 2020 the building was forced to closed during the COVID-19 pandemic and many of the creative courses, performances and events were cancelled. Despite the pandemic, many of courses were able to continue, notably their student-orientated Wildcard Wednesday and History of Art classes. [6] For the international students who were unable to go back to their home countries during the pandemic, the weekly art boxes were received well and were "a relief from the stresses of [the pandemic]." [7] The Attenborough Arts Centre was one of 1,385 cultural and creative organisations across the country to receive emergency financial support from Department of Media Culture and Sport. [8] This was announced as part of the very first round of the Culture Recovery Fund grants programme being administered by Arts Council England. In March 2021 they announced they had received further support as part of phase two. [9]
It hosts a gallery space, creative learning courses and a programme of in-house performances. The programme offers performance, courses and workshops, contemporary art exhibitions, and activities for children and families. [2] The centre's gallery shows contemporary art. Opened in 2015, this extension doubled the size of the existing building as part of a £1.5 million capital project. [5]
In 2021 Gallery 3 was opened, an interactive art space, designed to allow a greater access to the arts. Specifically designed for families and special needs education, it has interactive activities, a large TV screen and iPads on which people can see the work done through the centre's Next Gen. and education programmes.
The main performance space, the Diana Princess of Wales Hall, has a built-in light rigs, induction loop, and movable raised seating. The versatile nature of the space has allowed it to host activities ranging from shows as part of the Leicester Comedy Festival to Wrestling.
The University of Leicester is a public research university based in Leicester, England. The main campus is south of the city centre, adjacent to Victoria Park. The university's predecessor, University College, Leicester, gained university status in 1957.
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