Partnerships
Attenborough Arts Centre and the University of Leicester are uniquely positioned to explore new partnerships.
We prioritise two-way collaboration to incubate artistic ideas which often push at the boundaries of what has gone before, helping to influence new modes of thinking and expression. We are particularly interested in socially-engaged, participatory and co-created practice, and have long-standing relationships with many different communities in Leicester.
Civic Universities Agreement
The Civic Universities Agreement is a commitment between the University of Leicester, De Montfort University, Loughborough University, and the city and counties of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland to work together for the benefit of local people and the prosperity of our places.
Attenborough Arts Centre plays a key role in the Arts, Culture and Heritage strand of the Agreement, working to develop significant collaborations and initiatives between the Universities and local authorities to make a positive impact on the cultural life of the region. To learn more, click here.
The City Classroom
The City Classroom is one of the UK’s Local Cultural Education Partnerships, working to promote culture and creativity in education. First established in 2017, the partnership has seen Leicester cultural organisations Attenborough Arts Centre, Charnwood Arts, Curve Theatre, Leicester Print Workshop, Soft Touch Arts and the Spark Arts for Children collaborate with schools on a range of creative and cultural experiences. In March 2023 the University of Leicester and De Montfort University joined The City Classroom with the former leading on the next phase of the initiative which will expand the number of schools involved and promote youth voice in the partnership’s future direction.
Social Prescribing
Social prescribing works alongside traditional healthcare, providing non-medical support to improve health and quality of life through sustainable, supportive networks and relationships. Culture and creativity can play a key role in social prescribing. Attenborough Arts Centre has always provided a range of arts experiences and activities which can contribute to better health and quality of life for everyone. We are now working to formalise our work in social prescribing so we can extend the benefits to more people.
Oadby & Wigston
Oadby & Wigston Borough Council awarded The University of Leicester the Freedom of the Borough Award in 2021. Oadby & Wigston Borough Council are partners in the Civic Universities Agreement and as part of this Attenborough Arts Centre is developing a cultural partnership with them to develop more arts and culture provision in Oadby & Wigston, which is also a priority area of investment for Arts Council England.