Norwich

As one of the most important public university art galleries in Britain, the Sainsbury Centre houses one of the world’s most impressive art collections outside of a national institution.

Works featured in the gallery include pieces by Pablo Picasso, Edgar Degas, Alberto Giacometti, Henry Moore, Francis Bacon, Jacob Epstein, Jean Arp, Chaïm Soutine and Amedeo Modigliani.

Also featured, are major holdings from Oceania, Africa, the Americas, Asia, the ancient Mediterranean cultures of Egypt, Greece and Rome, as well as Medieval Europe.

The collection, gifted by Robert and Lisa Sainsbury to the University of East Anglia in 1973, is housed in a modernist Grade II listed building, as designed by Norman Foster and Wendy Chessman in 1976. Fans of superhero movies will also recognise the structure as the Avengers HQ, as featured in numerous Marvel adventures.

Ghislaine Wood, Acting Director of the centre, says: “The Sainsbury Centre is a truly extraordinary art gallery. The building and collection has been a much loved part of campus life for over 40 years and its reputation as a national treasure continues to grow.”

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The National Centre for Writing is based at Dragon Hall in Norwich – England’s first UNESCO City of Literature.

From their medieval HQ, the NCW produces a lively year-round programme of activity, including the delivery of the City of Literature strand of May’s Norfolk & Norwich Festival, the running every September of an ever-popular crime writing festival, Noirwich, as well as offering of a wide range of creative writing workshops and one-to-one mentoring sessions.

The centre welcomes hundreds of schools through its doors for interactive creative writing sessions and runs a professional development programme for young people interested in working in the arts, as well as a yearly creative writing competition for 11-17-year-olds.

Dragon Hall is the working offices of NCW and, as such, is not open to the public on a day-to-day basis. Therefore, please check their website before planning your visit.

Jon McGregor, Booker prize long-lister and NCW patron says of the centre, “It is tremendously exciting to have a space where writers and readers can meet and collaborate; a place which brings together writers and translators from around the world, develops talent and potential in new writers, and encourages dialogue, debate, exchange and experiment. It’s an exciting place to visit, and a valuable resource to be connected with.”

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Founded more than 250 years ago, Norwich Theatre Royal presents a world class programme of performing arts, including drama, dance, musicals, opera, ballet, comedy, family, circus, music and spoken word.

As the largest arts organisation in the East of England, the NTR welcomes over 450,000 visitors across its three venues every year.

The theatre’s etraordinary portfolio of partners include: Britten Sinfonia, English Touring Opera, Glyndebourne, Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures, National Theatre, Northern Ballet, Rambert, Royal Shakespeare Company, and Sadler’s Wells.

Alongside work from world class artists and internationally acclaimed visiting companies, Norwich Theatre presents an increasing number of in-house productions including the Creative Matters season, the annual Theatre Royal pantomime and the Playhouse Christmas show.

Away from the stages, Norwich Theatre offers an extensive Take Part programme aimed at making the arts accessible to the broadest range of audiences.

On site Norwich Theatre Royal has a 1,300 seat auditorium, spacious front of house areas with two bars, function rooms and a new restaurant Prelude offering coffee & cake, light lunches, set pre-theatre dining menus and all within a newly refurbished modern art deco setting.

Together with Playhouse and Stage Two, Theatre Royal is part of the Norwich Theatre family of venues.

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Norfolk & Norwich Festival is the flagship arts festival for the East of England and celebrates its 250^th year in 2022.

Every May the Festival transforms Norwich and surrounding county through a world-class programme of international art and performance as well as some of the finest home grown talent.

The Festival showcases the very best in classical and contemporary music, theatre, circus, dance, visual arts and outdoor work, all spread across a range of wonderful venues or against the background of the unique Norfolk landscape.

Norfolk & Norwich Festival is also a charity which shares exceptional arts experiences across the East of England through a number of projects and initiatives, leading and supporting celebration, creativity and curiosity throughout its communities.

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Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery

Norwich Castle has been one of the city’s most famous landmarks for over 900 years. The original fort was built by the Normans, with a new keep constructed in the early 12th century. The castle then served as a prison from 1220 up until 1887 when it was repurposed as a museum.

The castle is now packed with treasures from giant teapots and period costumes to Egyptian mummies and displays about the Norfolk Regiment.

The collection covers the lives of the Anglo-Saxons and Vikings, and Queen Boudica’s revolt against the Romans.

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Museum of Norwich at the Bridewell Museum

From medieval times to the modern day, the Museum of Norwich tells the story of the city’s industries and people.

Highlights include an extensive collection of shoes and boots, a 19th century Jacquard loom, a steam fire engine and a recreation of an early 20th century pharmacy. Relax in the 1950s living room and enjoy archive film in the museum’s mini-cinema.

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Strangers’ Hall Museum

Explore this fascinating Tudor house and garden, home to mayors and merchants since 1320. Wander through a maze of passages to discover a series of inter-linked rooms with period settings.

Enjoy the collections of historic toys and a cellar full of colourful shop signs. In fine weather, take a stroll in the lavender filled garden and be sure to find out who the strangers were.

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As one of only three building-based puppet theatres in England, Norwich Puppet Theatre offers one of the city’s most unique theatrical attractions.

The NPT, situated in a converted medieval church, hosts a range of visiting companies and showcases the best in national and international puppetry and object-based theatre. The theatre is also home to a professional company which performs at the theatre and also tours.

As well as puppet shows, the theatre offers a range of creative workshops for children and families. In addition, the NPT hosts the annual Manipulate Festival in early spring, which celebrates puppetry and related art forms for adult audiences.

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The Waterfront is a live music venue and nightclub situated on the bank of the River Wensum, close to Norwich City Centre, the Riverside complex and the train station.

The venue is the East’s number 1 alternative venue and is run by the Union of UEA Students.

The Waterfront has hosted performances from band including Pulp, Radiohead, Nirvana, The Verve, Arctic Monkeys, The Prodigy, Amy Winehouse, Paul Weller, Moby, Ellie Goulding, Foals, The Undertones and The Darkness plus many more.

The Waterfront building was previously a brewery warehouse, which was converted into a live music venue in 1990.

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Stationed at the heart of Norwich’s cultural community, Norwich Arts Centre is an award-winning contemporary arts venue that delivers a daily programme of live music, theatre, dance, live art, visual art, literature and comedy.

Housed within a newly renovated Grade 1 listed flint church, the NAC provides a beautiful, intimate setting to watch your favourite artist, band or performer.

With a mission to support the development of artists and nurture emerging talent across a range of art forms, the NAC is the place to catch the next big thing.

Pasco Q Kevlin, Director of Norwich Arts Centre says, “For 40 years, NAC has occupied a special place in Norwich’s community. Loved by artists and audiences alike, it continues to be a place that brings people together to experience something just a little bit special.”

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