On 29 January 2016, our galleries were officially opened by Sir David Attenborough as an inclusive space to celebrate culture and creativity. Join us exactly 10 years to the day of the launch on Thursday 29 January 2026 to celebrate a decade of exhibitions, but first let’s look back at where it all started.
The opening coincided with the launch of an exhibition by internationally acclaimed artists Lucy + Jorge Orta, that explored issues around environmental change and its social implications. The naturalist and long-running television personality, Sir David Attenborough, returned to his Leicester childhood to open our inclusive galleries championed by his brother and our founder Lord Richard Attenborough.
As well as exploring the exhibitions and getting to know Attenborough Arts Centre, David Attenborough spoke of his family-ties with the University of Leicester. His father was the principal of the university in the 1930’s, meaning that the Attenborough family had grown up on campus.
“When my father came here in the 30’s there were less than 100 undergraduates, but he had the task of helping this tiny university-college grow to adulthood. But today, there is another Attenborough name that’s to be listed in this honorable way to this spectacular institution, that of my brother Richard.” – David Attenborough in his opening speech.
“This is a fantastic moment for us. Five years in the making and really it’s only happened because of the generosity of local people in providing us with the funds to make this happen.” – Michaela Butter, former Attenborough Arts Centre Director.
With Sir David officially opening the spaces, Attenborough Arts Centre became home to the largest contemporary art gallery in Leicester. In the past 10 years we have hosted over 60 exhibitions from more than 300 artists to ensure we work towards our mission of ‘Art for all’.
To mark this special milestone we are looking back on both the programme, and also the memories and experiences of all those who have engaged with the range of artists and art we have presented and produced. A curated exhibition in our Salmon Gallery titled ‘A Decade of Exhibitions’ will look back at highlights from the past 10 years while inviting you to share your own stories and reflections.
The milestone will also be celebrated with the launch of ‘Material Worlds: Contemporary Artists and Textiles’ in Gallery 1 and 2 from Hayward Gallery Touring. Featuring work created predominantly over the last decade by 15 UK-based artists, ‘Material Worlds’ highlights their deep awareness of textiles’ cultural history and a shared desire to challenge its traditional associations, testing the material’s expansive and subversive potential.
Join us Thursday 29 January 2026, 5pm – 8pm. This event is free for all with booking required, and food and drinks will be available throughout the night. We cannot wait to see what the next decade will bring!
To view the opening speech by Sir David Attenborough, please watch the video below: