Attenborough Late

Attenborough Arts Centre opens its doors after dark for a night of art, performance, workshops — and pizza.

Explore the galleries, get creative in hands-on sessions, experience live performances throughout the building, and soak up the buzz of a building that doesn’t sleep early.

Whether you’re a regular or a first-time visitor, this is your chance to experience Attenborough Arts Centre like never before.

What’s happening:

• Live performances popping up throughout the night
• Drop-in workshops — no experience needed
• After-hours access to our galleries
• Pizza and great company A relaxed, welcoming atmosphere

Pay What You Can. Booking required. Everyone is welcome — come as you are.

Current Line-Up (with more to be announced):

‘We Grown-Ups Can Also Be Afraid’ exhibition in Gallery 1 – Experience and explore how works by some of the most significant artists of our era can help us respond to our contemporary world.

‘Angélica Teuta: Inner Jungle [Putumayo]’ exhibition in Gallery 2 – Offering a relief from the pressures of city life, Angélica builds common spaces through emotions, human connections and creativity.

Landscape Escapism Workshop – Draw or paint your own happy place, inspired by landscape photographs and your imagination in an art studio with easels and all materials provided. This workshop is supported by artist Scott Bridgwood.

Super Turbo Pizza – Local pizza makers with great food to start off the weekend right.

DJ Sets – Enjoy the evening with a range of music across the centre.

Gallery Den Building – Inspired by Fransisca Anuit’s installation in the ‘We Grown-Ups Can Also Be Afraid’ exhibition, you are invited build dens using found and recycled materials, building towers and playing with the properties of materials.

Fantasy Map Drawing Workshop – Drop in and learn how to create your own fantasy maps, whether for stories, games, or pure imagination. Led by Angeline Trevena, a fantasy author and cartographer, you’ll explore techniques for coastlines, mountains, forests, and more, and leave with a world that’s uniquely yours.

‘Unfinished Business’ by Jeanette Bird-Bradley – a theatre performance that explores loss, family, academia and chronic/invisible illness through the lens of a Ghost Story. “An honest but playful exorcism which reasserts control over the personal history of a body, space and voice. Therefore, becoming an advocate for marginalized narratives and an affirmation of belonging. But it’s also super silly!”

‘The Severed Wing’ by Corinne – The Severed Wing is a new live art performance by artist Corinne, exploring their limited mobility and lived experience as a disabled, housebound artist. It is poignant call for change, giving voice and visibility to the experiences of confinement. Live-streamed from Corinne’s bed using projections and immersive sound design, The Severed Wing is a magical, visceral and intimate live encounter between one physical space and another. The Severed Wing was commissioned by Lowry and made possible with thanks to funding from Arts Council England, with support from Attenborough Arts Centre.

‘Reverie – a dream of autoimmunity’ by Joanna Holland – Inspired by Joanna’s lived experience of chronic illness and a repetitive nightmare. A haunting tale of love, loss and unpredictability – with devastating consequences. An immersive soundscape narrated by actor Louise Kim Salter, with music by audiovisual artist Madil Hardis.

Recommended Price: £2

What are ‘Pay What You Can’ tickets?

We believe that that arts should be accessible for all. For this reason some of our shows and events this year will be ‘Pay What You Can’, meaning that you decide how much you can or want to pay. This expands access to the arts for those who may not have been able to participate otherwise, or gives others the chance to support those who cannot by paying a bit extra.

You will see multiple prices available for each show or event. You can select whichever price you can afford or would like to pay – thank you.