Meet our Patrons

Our Patrons support Attenborough Arts Centre’s mission to be one of the UK’s leading socially-engaged cultural organisations.

An older white man with white hair, white beard and glasses speaking into a microphone while wearing a suit.

Michael Attenborough CBE

Michael Attenborough continues the Attenborough family association and support for the centre. He is a passionate supporter of inclusion in the arts and the rights of disabled people. His long career in theatre includes Artistic Director of the Almeida Theatre, the Hampstead Theatre and Principal Associate Director of the RSC. Freelance work includes productions for the National Theatre, the Royal Court and Chichester; a number in the West End and twice on Broadway. He also teaches and trains at three universities and four drama schools, including RADA, where he is Director Emeritus.

Grayson Perry standing, posing in front of his own portrait by artist Lucy Jones.

Grayson Perry CBE

Grayson Perry is an internationally celebrated visual artist and was the first transvestite potter to win the Turner Prize in 2003. Having trained in sculpture he went on to learn ceramics in night classes, his work is now collected and represented in many museums and galleries around the world.

A British-Nigerian man with black and grey long hair and a small grey beard is smiling into the camera.

Yinka Shonibare CBE

Yinka Shonibare is a British-Nigerian artist living and working in London. Noted for his use of traditional batik patterned cloth in his sculptures he has exhibited in the UK and internationally and his work can be found in many notable collections. In 2010 his first public art commission, Nelsons ship in a bottle, was created for the Forth Plinth in Trafalgar Square. He is an enthusiastic supporter for disability arts and is Chair of Shape.

Dame Evelyn Glennie

An internationally celebrated multi-percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie has been Deaf since the age of 12. Her work has seen her performing with orchestras around the world along with creative collaborations with stars of the contemporary music world such as Bjork and Bobby McFerrin.

A man with short greying hair wearing a suit half smiling at something off-camera.

Baron Lowe of Dalston CBE

Born in Edinburgh he has been blind since the age of three, this did not prevent him from securing a career in law teaching at the City University London. He is Vice President of the RNIB and received a CBE for his services for disabled people. He is a political and life peer.