Leicester's Attenborough Arts Centre is launching its most extensive and ambitious season to date, featuring a diverse array of contemporary exhibitions, live performances, and hands-on creative workshops. This milestone programme arrives as the venue prepares for a significant transformation, supported by a £899,000 grant from the government and Arts Council England.
Major Refurbishment to Modernise 30-Year-Old Building
The substantial investment will modernise the 30-year-old building with community-led designs, enhanced environmental sustainability, and crucial new accessibility features. These include power-assisted doors and a state-of-the-art Changing Places facility, ensuring the centre becomes more inclusive for all visitors. The refurbishment works are scheduled to begin in November 2026 and are expected to be completed by Spring 2027, just before the venue's 30th anniversary of its opening by Lord Richard Attenborough and Princess Diana.
During the renovation, Attenborough Arts Centre will remain open to its communities, offering exhibitions, performances, creative courses, and learning programmes throughout. However, sections of the building will be temporarily closed to the public while the work takes place, allowing the centre to continue its mission of 'Art For All' without interruption.
New Season Opens with Jemisha Maadhavji Exhibition
The new season kicks off with a captivating exhibition from Leicester artist Jemisha Maadhavji in Gallery 2. Titled I Dream From Where You Are, the exhibition will run from October 9, 2026, to March 14, 2027. Maadhavji, an acclaimed portrait artist of Indian heritage, brings together painting and sculpture to explore portraiture and identity, reflecting on her concept of luxury and its connection to nature. Her work draws inspiration from the vibrant neighbourhood she lives in, with sari shops, hand-embroidered textiles, and Indian confectioners influencing the vivid colours and intricate patterns in her pieces.
Maadhavji's previous accolades include selection for Bloomberg New Contemporaries 2022 and creating a portrait of NHS junior doctor Grace Spence Green for the BBC series Extraordinary Portraits in 2023.
Diverse Workshops and Creative Courses
The season also features a range of artist-led creative courses and workshops, held in the studios and main hall until November before moving to Gallery 1 during the building works. Highlights include Digital Art: A Beginners Workshop for iPad and Procreate, led by Leicester artist Rosie Johnson, where participants can learn digital creation basics. Music enthusiasts can join Jazz Performance with tutor Richard Everitt to build confidence in improvisation and group performance. Later in the season, local crafter Bonita Keay will lead a Kinusaiga Workshop, teaching a Japanese textile art that resembles stained glass designs.
For the winter months, the centre offers festive workshops perfect for creating unique gifts and decorations, including Festive Fused Glass Decorations, Mosaic Robins, and Wreath Making Workshops. To uphold its 'Art for All' commitment, the centre provides courses at various price points with concessions, ensuring greater access to the programme. By employing local artists as tutors, the centre also supports Leicester's growing creative community, helping them further their practice while sharing their knowledge.
Performances and Events Line-Up
This autumn, Attenborough Arts Centre presents an exciting array of performances. On September 26, comedian Lucy Porter brings her new show Let Yourself Go!, a hilarious exploration of the power of letting go, fresh from festival appearances and TV panel shows. On Friday, October 16, the popular Attenborough Late takeover returns with an evening of contemporary art, live performances, DJs, food, and interactive opportunities.
Families can enjoy So Unfair!, an interactive science demo by theatre company One Tenth Human on October 24, which challenges kids to save the day. In collaboration with The Sitar Music Society, the centre presents String Beats: An Evening of Indian Classical Music and Timeless Melodies at Leicester Cathedral on October 25, reimagining familiar melodies with a blend of tradition and creativity.
The season also includes the ever-popular Craft and Art Fair on October 31, where visitors can meet and support over 50 regional makers and artists selling a wide range of crafts. Weekend programmes, such as Saturday Gallery Art Clubs and Sunday Sessions, offer free or Pay What You Can activities for all ages, making creativity accessible to everyone.
With such a diverse range of events, there is something for everyone at Attenborough Arts Centre this season. For more details, visit the Attenborough Arts Centre website.
