Everyone is an artist

Drum circle in church hall, photographed from above.
Blue to Green Drum Circle, Lamar Francois 2022

Since 1977, we’ve been breaking down barriers to reconnect people with art, culture and creativity. We stand up for people who are underrepresented in the arts. We see talent where it has been overlooked and undervalued. Anywhere can be your studio, your gallery, your stage. At City Arts, we believe you are an artist. 

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Drum circle in church hall, photographed from above.
Blue to Green Drum Circle, Lamar Francois 2022

Featured

A vibrant street parade featuring performers in elaborate costumes inspired by traditional Chinese designs. The participants wear red, black, and gold outfits adorned with intricate patterns and large feathered structures in shades of blue, yellow, and red. Some hold decorative shields and wave brightly colored fabric.

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Our Associates

Find out about the artists and groups that we host in our building, and how to get involved with their activities.

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Cover of City Arts' Annual Report for 2023/24. The design features a pink background with a central photo of a young child holding a handmade puppet. The child is wearing a blue turban and a matching jacket, smiling as they show their colorful craft made with leaves and string. The City Arts logo appears at the top, and the text reads 'Annual Report 2023/24' in white at the bottom.

Publication

Read our 2023/24 Annual Report

Find out all about City Arts’ work by reading our Annual Report for 2023/24. Our work ranges from inspiring young minds at our Hoopla! festivals to platforming disabled artists. The…

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What's on

Exhibition

‘The Air We Breathe’ & ‘The Weather Station’

Dates of event: Until 5 Jun 2025 Mon - Thu, Daily Opening Time: 10:00am - Daily Closing Time: 5:00pm

Venue Address: The Window Gallery, City Arts, 11-13 Hockley, Nottingham, NG1 1FH

Two exhibits using art to explore environmental data about Nottingham. The Air We Breathe is an artistic investigation into Nottingham’s air quality data. The University of Nottingham’s City as Lab,…

Find out more: about '‘The Air We Breathe’ & ‘The Weather Station’'

Event

Murmurations

Date of event: 17 Jun 2025 Event start time: 7:30pm - Event end time: 9:30pm

Venue Address: City Arts, 11-13 Hockley, Nottingham, NG1 1FH

An event celebrating Nottingham’s queer community by uncovering their untold stories. Join the Young Producers at City Arts for an evening of poetry, audio art and visual storytelling “exploring and…

View event: 'Murmurations'

Event

Refugee Roots Art Group Drop In

Date of event: 19 Jun 2025 Event start time: 10:30am - Event end time: 12:30pm

Venue Address: City Arts, 11-13 Hockley, Nottingham, NG1 1FH

The Refugee Roots Art Group have been meeting at City Arts to collaborate with artist Márcia Porto. Together they are working on an exhibition, which will be displayed in the…

View event: 'Refugee Roots Art Group Drop In'
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Projects

Audience watches performer with stag puppet. Text reads 'Hoopla - a mini festival of ages 0-4'.

Find out more: Hoopla!

Project dates: Since July 2022

Get Creative participant, artist and volunteer

Find out more: Get Creative

Project dates: Since November 2011

Young Producers - a group for 18-30 year olds

Find out more: Young Producers

Project dates: Since October 2014

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Our Impact

Gemma Poyzer stands smiling in front of a white curtain at an exhibition. She wears a striped blazer over a black top. Beside her on an easel is a framed portrait photograph of a woman seated in a softly lit domestic setting.
, Wednesday 2 April 2025

Case Study

This was my first entrance into the art world… It helped me to feel like an artist, to feel inspired and motivated.

Read Gemma's story

Key Stats April 2024 - March 2025

2543 Workshop attendances

43% of audience members had not been to an arts event in the last year

170 Artists supported

See all stats & data

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Latest

Case Study

“The consultancy and advice were invaluable. If I was working on my own, I wouldn’t have had access to that kind of advice.”

Nikki Charlesworth is a Nottingham based Theatre Designer, Puppet Designer and Animator. She studied at Nottingham Trent University. She works at the forefront of disability-led theatre making, contributing to new,…

Read more: '“The consultancy and advice were invaluable. If I was working on my own, I wouldn’t have had access to that kind of advice.”'
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