Capital for Culture

Capital for culture

Are you a culture vulture? Excited by cutting edge art, theatre, music and dance? You won’t be disappointed by Nottinghamshire, home to Europe’s largest number of artists per capita. Our city and county is alive with cultural excitement.

Nottingham Castle’s museum hosts both traditional and modern collections. A rich programme varies from old masters like Turner to modern icons like Andy Warhol. Summer 2005 saw a stunning collection of Pre-Raphaelite art at the Castle. It was the only venue outside the United States to display this exhibition of influential 19th century work.

It was a sign of Nottingham’s increasing cultural profile that the city was chosen to host British Art Show 6 in spring 2006. The show takes place every five years and visits just four cities across the UK. Until early June 2006, the Sideshow festival - an artist-led event showcasing regional excellence - ran alongside the British Art Show.

In recent years, Nottingham’s Angel Row Gallery has been named the East Midlands’ key contemporary arts venue. It's closure in September 2007 was in preparation for the opening of the new Nottingham Contemporary in early 2009. The much anticipated gallery and exciting new independent organisation will be housed from next year in a brand new building, located in the centre of Nottingham. And further afield, Rufford Country Park has gained a national and international reputation for its innovative craft exhibitions and studio ceramics. Annually in June, the international festival of ceramics featuring the work of over one hundred potters and ceramic artists, takes place against the scenic backdrop of Rufford Abbey.

The Harley Gallery in Worksop boasts three exhibition spaces dedicated to the display of contemporary visual art and craft. And Thoresby Gallery in Newark houses a unique collection of work by Marie-Louise Pierrepont. She lived at Thoresby Hall until her death in 1984 and explored a range of artistic styles throughout the twentieth century.

Nottingham Playhouse is notorious for pushing the boundaries of theatre, performing arts, dance and drama. This spring they welcome prestigious companies like the Richard Alston Dance Company and the Gob Squad as well as comedians like Jimmy Carr. But make sure you take the time to visit the theatre’s forecourt and take in the Sky Mirror sculpture by Turner Prize-winning artist Anish Kapoor.

Our Theatre Royal regularly hosts world-class performances like the St Petersburg Ballet. Likewise, the Royal Concert Hall showcases a series of classical orchestra and opera throughout the year. The Bolshoi Ballet featuring over 200 of the world’s greatest dancers, together with the equally famous Bolshoi Orchestra, performed here for the first time in April 2006.

In the summer months, outdoor theatre provides unrivalled entertainment, such as Newstead Abbey’s Summer Stage. The open-air theatre company Illyria put on plays like Shakespeare’s Tempest and Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice last summer.

For film lovers, Broadway Media Centre is a dedicated home for independent and world cinema. They’ve established an international reputation for film exhibition, production and festivals. Or visit Screen Room - the world’s smallest cinema with just 22 seats.
And we stage some cutting-edge festivals every year. nottdance and the NOW Festival take place at a number of venues throughout the city. They offer inspiring collections of performance, theatre, dance, visual and live art, installation and music.

Meanwhile Trampoline started life as Nottingham's first regular platform event - presenting cutting edge and seriously intentioned art in an informal atmosphere. It showcases the work of artists working with digital video, multimedia installations, live streamed performance and electronic sculpture.