Â鶹ÊÓƵ

Senior leaders from Arts Council England joined Â鶹ÊÓƵ colleagues to discuss the future needs and opportunities for strategic partnerships between Higher Education and the Arts, Culture and Heritage sector.

Darren Henley CBE, Chief Executive, Liz Johnson, Midlands Area Director and Catherine Nesus, Director of Transformation at Arts Council England, met University senior leaders at the high-level talks where they learned about how Arts Council England funding of Attenborough Arts Centre is enabling the University to play an increasingly prominent sector leadership role across its Arts, Culture & Heritage research, education, public, civic and communities engagement and policymaking programmes.

The visit, led by Attenborough Arts Centre and Heritage Hub, brought colleagues together from across the institution, including the Pro-Chancellor for Community, School of Heritage and Culture, Research Centre for Museums and Galleries, Institute for Digital Culture, Institute for Policy, Leverhulme Centre for Humanity and Space, Literary Leicester, College of Business, School of Engineering, Universities Partnership, Research Enterprise Division and Public Affairs.

Collectively, colleagues highlighted the key role of Leicester’s world-leading research and significant range of consultancy services to the sector, alongside its ambitions to expand its influence and reach regionally, nationally and internationally over the next 10 years.

Â鶹ÊÓƵ leaders also heard from Arts Council England about the evolving needs of the Arts, Culture and Heritage sector.

The discussion emphasised the expanding role of universities beyond education, identifying them as vital civic institutions, cultural convenors and trusted public spaces. The Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s strong civic identity and deep community engagement were recognised as key strengths.

The roundtable also underscored the continued importance of arts education in driving innovation, economic growth and societal wellbeing – and recognised inclusive practice as a defining strength, with discussion focusing on widening participation and addressing inequalities in access to arts and culture.

The importance of translating research into public value and policy impact was emphasised, with the University’s interdisciplinary work recognised as a key asset to evidence-led decision making. The roundtable also explored opportunities for global partnerships, cultural exchange and collaborative research.

Arts Council England leaders meanwhile enjoyed a student-led tour of campus with visits to the School of Heritage & Culture, Library and Special Collections, School of Chemistry, LeicSurvey – an innovative digital data platform developed by the School of Engineering – as well as a briefing on the work of the Heritage Hub.

The visit was rounded off with a tour of Attenborough Arts Centre, with Mr Henley speaking at the launch of its latest Jason and the Adventure of 254 exhibition, from leading artist Jason Wilsher-Mills.

Attenborough Arts Centre is one of Arts Council England’s National Portfolio Organisations, investing vital public funding which underpin its ambitious and inclusive artistic and learning programmes. It has also been awarded strategic funds to lead Leicester’s Local Cultural Education Partnership.

In April, Attenborough Arts Centre secured six-figure government funding, administered and delivered by Arts Council England, for crucial improvements for the building, located in Lancaster Road.

The successful bid for funding was achieved with the input of the University’s Advancement team, which helped with the application. The grant goes towards the University’s ambitious 2121: Founders of the Future philanthropic campaign, which aims to raise £100m to fund life-changing research and education.

Mr Henley said: “It was a privilege to visit the Â鶹ÊÓƵ and Attenborough Arts Centre and learn more about their contribution to Leicester’s thriving cultural ecology.

“Universities are uniquely placed to connect communities, cultural organisations and industry, helping to develop talent, inspire creativity and strengthen local partnerships. When culture is embedded across civic life, it can create lasting benefits for people, places and the wider economy.”

Andrew Fletcher, Director of Attenborough Arts Centre, said: “We are incredibly grateful for Arts Council England’s investment in Attenborough Arts Centre, the impact of which is felt across the University. We were delighted to welcome Darren Henley, Liz Johnson and Catherine Nesus to understand more about the comprehensive wider ecology of Arts, Culture and Heritage programmes at the Â鶹ÊÓƵ and the unique role we can play in the sector over the next 10 years.”