Warwick Arts Centre Annual Review 2024-2025

SUCCESSFUL YEAR ANOTHER

Looking back on another remarkable year, our 2024/2025 report highlights a significant increase in participation in creative learning activitiesup by 6,396 from the previous year, reaching a total of 44,946.

Increasing access to the arts is central to our mission, particularly in reaching those who have historically faced barriers to participation. It is heartening to see not only a rise in numbers, but also deeper engagement across parts of our community where access has traditionally been limited.

Our artistic programme continues to go from strength to strength. It was a joy to welcome back alumni companies Barrel Organ and Breach Theatre. It was testimony that our support for fledgling student companies is invaluable to the talent pipeline for the creative sector.

The diversity of our programming is one of the things that makes Warwick Arts Centre unique in the region, and this year’s programme truly reflected that richness and range. I would like to thank the incredible Arts Centre team; their tireless efforts make this success possible. Thanks to my fellow Advisory Board members for their support. And, my extended thanks to the artists, creatives and other partners who have joined us on this journey.

KWAME KWEI-ARMAH

Chair Advisory Board

As a University, we remain steadfast in our belief that a comprehensive education is essential to building confident, curious, and culturally engaged communities.

Warwick Arts Centre sits at the heart of this ambitionensuring access to culture for our communities, students, and staff, while welcoming new audiences to both the Arts Centre and the campus. At the same time, it continues to strengthen relationships with our loyal audiences.

This year, the Arts Centre has continued to advance its ambition to develop more sustainable practices, contributing to the reduction of its environmental impact. It also continues to lead the way in demonstrating a deep commitment to our Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion goals.

As a key contributor to Coventry’s cultural economy, Warwick Arts Centre plays a vital role in supporting artists, nurturing talent, and creating opportunities for creative expression across the region. Our work is rooted in collaboration, innovation, and a strong commitment to inclusion.

We are grateful for the continued support of Arts Council England, whose investment enables us to deliver ambitious artistic and learning programmes, and to provide meaningful support to artists and creatives. We also acknowledge with deep appreciation the 29 May 1961 Charitable Trust for their initial capital investment in 1974 and their ongoing support, both capital and revenue, which has been instrumental in every phase of our growth and transformation.

Vice-Chancellor University of Warwick PROF. STUART

WHENTHEARTSMEET,EXTRAORDINARY HAPPENS

Almost 1 million people visited Warwick Arts Centre this year, with many more engaging in our activities across communities, schools, and other spaces. We’re always delighted to welcome new faces, and this year we were thrilled to host hundreds of first-time visitors who came to experience everything we have to offer.

We also welcomed new artists and creatives, from those featured in Made in the Midlands - our new annual showcase of original work supported through our seed funding programme - to The Paper Birds’ Feel Me, whose powerful interactive theatre piece asked: What makes us feel for another person in this age of information overload?

To mark our 50th anniversary, we created Rebels with a Cause!, a season of work celebrating activism in and through the arts. This milestone also signalled new directions in our programming, artist development and co-creation.

One of the highlights of the year was our first People’s Day - a joyful celebration of community, where a wide range of participants and groups brought their energy and creativity to their arts centre.

Inspired by our long-time collaborator Julia O’Connell, whose passion for quilting led her to the women of Gee’s Bend in Alabama, we partnered with her to create a community quilt in their spirit. Over 100 people contributed to this beautiful piece, which was proudly displayed in the Arts Centre throughout our anniversary celebrations.

We also commissioned a new work by Birmingham-based composer and one of our Associate Artists Bobbie-Jane Gardner. Her piece, The Burning House, received its world premiere with our orchestra, another exciting first for us.

As part of Men’s Mental Health Month, we built The Shed, a welcoming space installed in our foyer. In partnership with Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership Trust, we hosted workshops and drop-in sessions throughout the month, creating a safe and supportive environment for conversation and connection.

A heartfelt thank you to all my colleagues - your dedication, professionalism, and enthusiasm shine through in everything we do. It’s because of you that we receive such wonderful feedback, with one of our visitors telling us “I love the space, and I feel at home”.

Thank you also to our supporters. Whether your contribution is large or small, we deeply appreciate it. And finally, sincere thanks to our Advisory Board for your ongoing encouragement and insight.

DOREEN FOSTER

FOR EVERYONE ACCESS

“Many of the children shared that they love art so much that they went home and spent time creating their own artwork. It was clear that the experience inspired them to continue being creative on their own.”

TEACHER, TEMPLARS SCHOOL, COVENTRY

At Warwick Arts Centre, our Creative Learning team is committed to access, inclusion and imagination. This year, we welcomed over 40,000 participants across over 900 events, each one designed to spark curiosity and connection.

From the grassroots energy of People’s Day to the joyful spectacle of the Canley Parade, our spaces have been animated by local voices. The Youth Leadership Collective’s exhibition, Growing Changing, Becoming, offered a powerful lens into lived experience, while student-led performances like The Broken Butterfly, part of PLATFORM, showcased emerging talent with bold storytelling.

Our Always Free Foyer continues to be the heartbeat of our building - a space where music, making and movement collide. It’s our town square: open, welcoming, and free from the usual barriers of cost, skill or expectation.

Workshop Wednesdays brought together regional artists to deliver sessions in music, writing, clay and textiles. These workshops offered students and communities a chance to explore, express and collaborate. Alongside this, our family foyer programme included Family Sundays, Mini Creatives for preschoolers, and Wraparound Workshops that extend the experience of our ticketed programme.

Our sector-leading schools initiative, The Classroom of Creativity, entered its third year. This multi-year partnership is designed to embed creativity into the curriculum. This year, 83% of participating children came from under-represented backgrounds, including those receiving Free School Meals, with English as an Additional Language, or with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.

Every project, workshop and performance is shaped by our belief that creativity belongs to everyone. Whether it’s a child picking up a paintbrush for the first time, a student curating an exhibition, or a family dancing in the foyer, our Creative Learning programme is designed to inspire, include and ignite.

The Classroom of Creativity

In the past year we delivered the third year of this immersive arts programme for children aged 5 - 7 across Coventry’s most economically disadvantaged areas, including Foleshill, Hillfields, Tile Hill and Canley. Addressing the 47% decline in GCSE arts uptake and 27% fall in art teachers since 2010, the project champions creativity as a vital skill for problemsolving, empathy, and self-expression.

Working with four primary schools, two regional artists delivered 23 workshops engaging 263 children, 83% from under-represented backgrounds. The programme also supported teachers through three artist-teacher sessions and digital resources for classroom and home use.

Workshops built resilience, empathy, and emotional literacy through character design, performance, tableau, and collage, with children’s work showcased in the Mead Gallery’s Growing, Changing, Becoming exhibition. The project extended to families through

44,946

ATTENDEES ACROSS 914 EVENTS

2,793 PARTICIPANTS FOR OUR FREE FAMILY FOYER PROGRAMME

28 WORKSHOP WEDNESDAYS PRODUCTIONS

15 STUDENT LED & CONCERTS

100% POSITIVE

Student score of the PLATFORM development programme

16 REGIONAL ARTISTS EMPLOYED

“This is such a lovely session. I love that I can socialise with other parents.”

PARTICIPANT, MINI CREATIVES

ARTISTIC PROGRAMME OUR

“Volunteer staff were so accommodating & friendly but professional too... Would definitely revisit.”

AUDIENCE COMMENT

This year’s programme has been defined by bold storytelling, inclusive representation, and a wide range of artforms. Across drama, dance, music, film and visual art, we’ve welcomed new voices and deepened our relationships with returning artists.

In Theatre, we staged powerful work including Breach Theatre’s After the Act, a musical exploring the legacy of Section 28, and Frozen Light’s The Ancient Oak of Baldor, created for adults with profound learning disabilities. New collaborators included The Paper Birds, Shôn Dale-Jones, and Fractured Glass, each bringing urgent narratives around migration, identity and gender to our stages. Audiences also embraced Bi-Curious George’s Queer Planet, a joyful blend of cabaret and nature, and Imitating the Dog’s All Blood Runs Red, a visually striking tribute to Eugene Bullard.

Dance continued to thrive, with sell-out performances from Leamington’s Motionhouse (Hidden), and compelling new work from Rhiannon Faith (Lay Down Your Burdens), Tavaziva Dance (Greed), and Sonia Sabri Company (Roshni), showcasing movement and storytelling from a range of cultures and disciplines.

Our orchestral and music programme spanned genres - from the Hungarian Radio Symphony Orchestra to Wynton Marsalis’ A Fiddler’s Tale performed by Chineke! Chamber Ensemble. Comedy remained a crowd favourite, with rising stars like Laura Smyth and Eshaan Akbar taking the stage. And our festive offer, The Smeds and the Smoos, delighted over 100 schools and thousands of families.

“I love the diversity of shows at the arts centre, and the sense that the theatre staff are as excited about the performance as the audience. I always enjoy coming here.”

AUDIENCE COMMENT

Rebels with a Cause!

With Warwick Arts Centre opening its doors in 1974, this was our 50th year as a leading arts venue. To mark the milestone we offered a series of events celebrating activism and showcased why we were, and continue to be, Rebels with a Cause!

Featured artists included Lemn Sissay, Grace Campbell and Sandi Toksvig. We commissioned a quilt created by communities to complement our exhibition, we worked with It Takes Balls to Talk to present The Shed in our foyer and we staged our first People’s Day. And last but not least, our own music commission Songs of Protest featured a stellar line-up of musicians Grace Petrie, Bess Atwell and The Staves, culminating in them joining with Pauline Black to sing Talking ‘Bout A Revolution

Our Film programme expanded under the guidance of a newly appointed Screen Producer. Themed seasons, Q&As and festivals brought fresh energy to our cinema. Highlights included a conversation with Coventry icon Pauline Black on her Two-Tone documentary, and a screening of Layla with writer-director Amrou Al-Kadhi. Event Cinema continued to grow in popularity, with NT Live, Met Opera, Exhibitions on Screen and one-off specials drawing record audiences.

In the Mead Gallery, three exhibitions offered distinct perspectives. Material Worlds explored textile activism, complemented by a community quilt by Julia O’Connell The Future is Today celebrated the University’s 60th anniversary with over 60 artists. Summer paired Mike Silva’s intimate paintings with the first UK retrospective of photographer Mao Ishikawa

954,428 ANNUALFOOTFALL

18,673 CHRISTMAS SHOW ATTENDEES

15,993 VISITORS TO MEAD GALLERY

10,741 ICE CREAM TUBS SOLD Honeycomb being the most popular flavour

New work in the Music Centre

The Music Centre showcased two pieces of work specifically developed for our student performers: Bobbie-Jane Gardner’s powerful newly commissioned piece The Burning House and a stunning performance from the University of Warwick’s Symphony Orchestra and Chorus of Shruthi Rajasekar’s Sarojini Music Centre staff collaborated with staff and students from the Warwick Writing Programme to write, arrange and record a new anthem for the University’s graduation ceremonies, performed entirely by student musicians.

HIDDEN BY MOTIONHOUSE

Richochets at Mead Gallery

The exhibition Ricochets by Coventry University Fine Art students in the Gallery was an invaluable learning experience. Our team of curators supported the students throughout the planning and development of this experimental exhibition where the students overlaid their work in response to the exhibition The Future Is Today

“In our time working as University lecturers, we have experienced few moments as rewarding as this experience of seeing these students learning to engage in the professional art world.”

Dr Alex Frost & Dr Jo Sperryn-Jones SFHEA, Coventry University

NEW ARTISTSNEWWORK, AND CREATIVES

Made in the Midlands

As part of our Rebels with a Cause! season, we launched a new commissioning programme called Made in the Midlands which offered seed-funding to artists from the Midlands to develop the early stages of their creative ideas. This work was shared as work in progress on a scratch night and has now become an annual scheme.

At Warwick Arts Centre, our purpose is clear: to champion creativity that reflects the world around us. This year, we’ve focused on bridging gaps between emerging artists and opportunity, between under-represented voices and the stage, and between our spaces and the communities we serve.

We’ve deepened our commitment to discovering and nurturing the next generation of creatives. Whether through residencies, commissions or collaborative platforms, we’ve created space for new work to flourish and for artists to take risks, tell stories, and shape culture.

The Youth Leadership Collective continued to lead with vision and authenticity. Their exhibition Growing Changing, Becoming offered a raw and reflective look at identity and transformation, curated entirely by young people. It was more than a show - it was a statement of ownership and voice.

We also welcomed composer Shruthi Rajasekar and author-musician Nate Holder for residencies with students that explored sound, storytelling and social justice. Their work offered a shared creative journey with participants and audiences, sparking dialogue and new perspectives.

One of the year’s standout moments was the return of Hold Your Own Day at Warwick Arts Centre, the third annual celebration hosted by the inspirational resident elders’ dance company, Out of Whack

Youth Leadership Collective

Our Always Free Foyer continued to serve as a vibrant social hub, hosting spontaneous performances, workshops and exhibitions. It’s a space where creativity is visible, accessible and shared - where anyone can walk in and feel part of something.

Across all these initiatives, our mission remains the same: to ensure that all voices are heard, all stories are valued, and all artists, regardless of background, have the opportunity to create, connect and thrive.

“The exhibition opening was amazing - I felt a real sense of support seeing my family, friends, and everyone who came.”

PARTICIPANT, YOUTH LEADERSHIP COLLECTIVE

Delivered in partnership with YMCA Heart of England, 14 Coventry based, 15–24-year-olds who have experienced multiple barriers to accessing the arts, were offered the opportunity to not only engage with our creative offer but to build their own programme and exhibition.

This year’s programme offered workshops with artists, career talks, visits and peer-to-peer learning. Participants also received mentoring from local photographer Ayesha Jones, and consistent pastoral support. The cohort took leadership roles in planning and delivering two public events and co-produced the final exhibition, Growing, Changing, Becoming, at the Mead Gallery. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive - 75% of participants reported increased confidence, leadership skills, and a stronger desire to advocate for others.

28 CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT SESSIONS for Youth Leadership Collective

110 VOLUNTEER ASSISTANTS VISITOR EXPERIENCE

“It felt like for once in my life, I had a voice.”

PARTICIPANT, YOUTH LEADERSHIP COLLECTIVE

TECTUM THEATRE - JULIUS CAESAR WORK IN PROGRESS ELDERS’ DANCE

Hold Your Own – a Day of Elders’ Dance at Warwick Arts Centre

One of the year’s standout moments was Hold Your Own Day, led by resident elders’ dance company Out of Whack. Now in its third year, the event celebrated the unapologetic creativity of older artists through workshops and performances.

Joined by Sheffield’s Third Bite Dance, the day culminated in a moving double bill - Echoes and Fallen, followed by the wildly entertaining Out of Whack is Busted!, choreographed by Liz Aggiss. It was a celebration of life, memory and movement, proving that artistry has no age limit.

“On this Hold Your Own day we have shared deeply of ourselves with audiences and with other performers and we have grown through the experience. I have gained immense satisfaction in performing these works which I know are communicating to the hearts and souls of our audience – and that is the essence of art!”

Sally Rew, Founder Member, Out of Whack

AND OUT ABOUT

EDUCATION SESSIONS

Our community work continues to evolve: from outreach to co-production; from participation to leadership.

Our long-term project Playing Out in Canley has entered a new phase, now led by the community itself. Steering Group members chair meetings, deliver workshops, and produce their own newsletter. This shift marks a significant milestone: a move from facilitation to empowerment. The programme was featured in Spirit of 2012’s final report, with Canley resident Dot Sallis speaking at their national conference.

Dot also led six creative workshops ahead of the Canley Parade, helping neighbours craft props and costumes. The Parade itself, centred on the theme of World Peace, brought together over 1,200 people, including the joyful rhythms of the Canley Samba Band.

We hosted the fourth Canley Outdoor Cinema, screening Inside Out 2 in Prior Deram Park, complete with snacks and drinks. These moments of shared experience continue to build trust, joy and connection.

Our inaugural People’s Day invited community members to take the lead. Fourteen individuals and groups produced their own events - from lantern-making to reading clubs to live performances. The creativity on display was a powerful reminder of what happens when people are given space and support.

“It was fabulous to talk about Playing Out to a professional audience. I really enjoyed it and stayed for one of the Breakout Sessions.”

DOT SALLIS ON SPEAKING AT SPIRIT OF 2012’S CONFERENCE

To mark our 50th anniversary, we commissioned A Quilt in the Making, led by artist Julia O’Connell. This collaborative artwork brought together 109 co-producers from groups including Kairos, Canley Community Centre, Foleshill Women’s Training Centre and George Eliot Hospital. Across eight events, the quilt became a symbol of shared stories and stitched-together futures.

Whether in parks, foyers or studios, our community work is built on listening, trust and long-term relationships. It’s not about outreach - it’s about ownership. And as we look ahead, we remain committed to creating spaces where creativity is local, leadership is shared, and everyone belongs.

A Quilt in the Making

As part of our 50th birthday celebrations, we commissioned Julia O’Connell to make A Quilt in The Making, a textile piece which embodied themes of activism and community. Julia worked with Kairos, Canley Community Centre, Foleshill Women’s Training Centre and George Eliot Hospital though our Community Connections strand to realise this stunning piece. This work saw 109 community co-producers across 8 events, and a further 45 attendees to the artwork’s opening event, featuring Julia O’Connell in conversation with our Director, Doreen Foster.

“It’s been a privilege to stitch with the people who contributed to A Quilt In The Making. I hope you get time to see the quilt, to pause, and view each of the wonderful blocks.”

People’s Day 2024

Our inaugural People’s Day, saw local community groups produce their own events in our spaces: from reading clubs, to lantern making, to performance - we saw an array of creativity. The day itself was a huge success, with 608 people attending.

1,400 PEOPLE REACHED through our Canley Parade and Outdoor cinema

7,728 PEOPLE ENGAGED in community activity across 127 sessions

39% CREATIVE LEARNING PARTICIPANTS are from our 5 target wards

14 COMMUNITY GROUPS involved in our People’s Day

PARTICIPANT, COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

EQUALITY,DIVERSITY

AND INCLUSION

Creating a truly inclusive arts centre means going beyond programming, it’s about people, spaces, systems and culture. At Warwick Arts Centre, we’re committed to expanding equality of access through technology, training and collaboration, ensuring everyone feels welcome.

This year, we strengthened our partnership with Hereward College and DFN Project Search, delivering eight 10 month supported internships for young adults with learning disabilities and autism. These placements build confidence and transferable skills through structured coaching and real-world experience.

Staff participated in training sessions led by internal and external experts, fostering awareness, allyship and accountability. We also invested in our physical infrastructure, upgrading assisted listening systems and expanding our captioning and audio description in all our venues to enable access to our offer to more people. We’re proud of the progress we’ve made, and we remain committed to creating an environment where audiences, artists and team members can thrive.

“We attended with our 6 year old autistic grandson who is non verbal… We were offered ear defenders and fidget toys and reassured that we could come back in to the theatre at any time. We did re-join the performance and were able to use the disabled seating... Please pass on our thanks for making this performance accessible for us.”

AUDIENCE MEMBER

Austin’s Internship –Hereward College

Meet Austin, a Hereward College student and art enthusiast who joined us on a supported internship from Hereward College. He began his internship in the Mead Gallery, later becoming a performance steward for live events. Over time, Austin took on leadership roles, guiding visitors and engaging with audiences. His journey reflects the power of inclusive opportunity: “I’ve learnt not only so much about the arts, but I’ve also learnt about myself… how to get out there and make a difference while being me.”

Frozen Light’s

The Ancient Oak of Baldor

Frozen Light create multi-sensory theatre for audiences with profound and multiple learning disabilities. To further support audiences, we collaborated to provide learning opportunities and experiences for staff. Through a combination of online and in person training, one member of the team directly interacting with audiences commented on how informative and helpful it was, and how they felt more confident in engaging with audiences: “Before I took the training with Frozen Light, I wasn’t aware of the term PMLD. I learned how we should greet guests with PMLD and their companions into the performance”. Staff Member

OUR STORY SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainability is no longer a side note, it’s central to how we operate, create and connect. At Warwick Arts Centre, we’re embedding environmental responsibility into every corner of our venue, from technical upgrades to curatorial choices.

Over the past year, the majority of staff have completed Carbon Literacy Training, equipping our team with the knowledge and confidence to make meaningful change. These sessions have sparked new ideas, informed decision-making, and helped us build a shared language around climate action.

In our venues, we’ve made practical improvements with measurable impact. All lighting in the Theatre and Studio has been replaced with LEDs, saving an estimated 46.9 tonnes of CO₂ annually. It’s a simple shift with significant results.

Our digital footprint is also under review. We’ve improved our website’s Ecograder performance score, reducing emissions per page load and adding a carbon tracker to monitor impact.

In the Mead Gallery, sustainability is shaping how we exhibit. We’ve introduced reusable packing sleeves for 2D works, replacing single-use materials. For international photography exhibitions, we print locally and display works without frames, reducing shipping and material waste without compromising quality.

These changes are part of a wider shift towards thoughtful production, responsible consumption, and long-term stewardship of our activities.

There’s more to do, and we’re not claiming perfection. But we’re proud of the steps we’ve taken and the culture we’re building, one where sustainability is woven into the creative process, not added at the end.

“Sustainability has to be built into every part of our work, and these projects show how the right investment can make a real difference.”

TIM CLARE, TECHNICAL MANAGER

LED Lighting Upgrade

This upgrade represents a huge step forward for us, both environmentally and operationally. By moving to LED and rechargeable systems, we are not only reducing our energy usage and cutting down on waste, but also improving the quality and reliability of our technical services.

FINANCIALINFORMATION

The last 4 years of admissions and ticketing data.

“Every member of staff was so helpful. I felt so welcome.” AUDIENCE COMMENT

*Dates 1 Apr – 31 Mar

*Admissions includes live events, cinema and gallery

THANK YOU TO OUR ADVISORY BOARD 2024-2025

Kwame Kwei-Armah (Chair)

Morag Small

Sandeep Mahal

Prof. Jonothan Neelands

Prof. Rachel Moseley

Daksha Piparia WARWICK