Welcome

"One of the main things I hope to achieve during my time as Nature Poet Laureate is to challenge what many people may initially expect a ‘Nature Poet Laureate’ to be. For many people, ‘nature poetry’ may feel like something that’s too inaccessible, too far removed from our hectic lives, and maybe even too intimidating to give a try. However, I believe that both nature and poetry have enough room to offer something to everyone: a space to share and connect." 

It was wonderful to meet Cara Thompson, Nottingham's new Nature Poet Laureate at the ChalleNGe Partnership Lab on 16th October 2025. Cara was joined by Clare Bradnam from Nottingham City of Literature and will be supporting our new Nature Connections strand of work.   

Freelance Opportunity, Deadline: 12 noon on Mon 27 October 2025. 

Creative Mentors work with children from age 5-25 to build a trusting relationship, introduce creative activities according to the child’s interest and facilitate inspiring experiences to support personal, social and emotional development and educational achievement. The pool of Creative Mentors has a range of arts and/or media skills, experience of leading creative learning and a positive, child-centred approach to working with children and young people on a one-to-one basis.

To find out more and apply : Apply to become a Creative Mentor | TMC 

Contact: recruitment@themightycreatives.com 

Deadline: 31 October 2025 F/t. Permanent, 37 hours, £32,597- £35,412

Are you interested in designing, developing and delivering an outstanding learning offer across Nottingham City museum sites, exhibitions, collections, and subject areas? 

Working as part of a small team the  Learning Officer is responsible for the day-to-day coordination and administration of a wide range of learning opportunities, including facilitated onsite sessions, educational events, and the artefact loans service, Access Artefacts.

This role will be key to widening  participation, audience development, and schools’ engagement. 

Learning Programmes Officer; More information

As part of Child Friendly Nottingham's ambition to raise awareness of children's rights to be heard and listened to, we've been working with Nottingham-based creative producer Nicola Curzon to create imaginative and colourful Voice Boxes for schools across the city. Children have designed and selected their ideas and Nicola has made them a reality - providing the school with a wooden mascot that perfectly matches the children's drawing,  Schools have then decorated their creature and are launching their Voice boxes this term as part of their wider commitments to Pupil Voice in school. 

NEWS FLASH - schools can still participate in the Voice Box project and have their own wooden boxes made. This project is fully funded by Child Friendly Nottingham - so don't delay - get in touch if you would like a voice box for your school! Email cathy.mahmood@ntu.ac.uk

The Cultural Guarantee is a commitment by schools to actively promote and embed a broad range of creative experiences for all pupils, increasing visits to galleries, theatres and museums, to ensure that every child can access localised provision of arts and culture. The underpinning ethos supports immersive learning, enrichment and access to the vibrant cultural life of the city. 

Schools can join our Cultural Rucksack network to receive regular communications and support to build a Cultural Guarantee for their pupils - shaping their own commitment to culture and the arts within their school. 

We are actively building our Cultural Rucksack network of schools, offering regular CPD from ChalleNGe partners and support through the SEND/ Galleries group; sharing learning and mutual support across the arts and education sector. Find out more 

Young Poets Week, 24-28 November 2025

This is a free programme for Key Stages 2 & 3. Whether your students already enjoy writing or think poetry 'isn’t for them,' this programme helps them build confidence, creativity and new ways of using their voice. By registering, schools will receive a range of free classroom resources with practical, ready-to use activities, inspiring masterclasses and a chance for pupils to apply to become Young Poet Laureates and represent their region nationally.

Sign up by to secure your place and join a movement of schools and poets working together to inspire the next generation of poets. 

Register for the Young Poet Laureate Programme

Art of Belonging is a city-wide programme that seeks to welcome refugees and asylum seekers in Nottingham. The Art of Belonging Pledge has now been signed by 14 arts organisations and we have a growing network of creative practitioners who are being supported to facilitate sessions with new arrivals. From partnership projects with NEST (the Nottingham Education Sanctuary team) and arts venues, to the Refugee Roots regular creative programme and collaborations with Nottingham Playhouse, NAE and more - there are many ways you can support this work and get involved. 

We're delighted to be working in partnership with schools, communities, arts partners and our two Universities to celebrate our diverse languages and dialects in Nottingham. 

Thanks to funding from NTU, 8 partnership projects have been supported to explore new partnerships between arts organisations, schools and community groups to highlight and celebrate Languages within their work.

We are also excited to be the Community partner for a Co(l)laboratory and welcome Jack Benjamin as our PhD researcher. 

Child Friendly Nottingham is a city-wide partnership programme to put children's rights into practice. Lots of organisations are supporting children and young people to have a meaningful say in local decisions, services and spaces. Training and resources from UNICEF are available for teams and organisations to get involved.  

Over 9000 children and young people collaborated to choose 3 'badges' (areas to focus on) which are: Safe and Secure; Education & Learning and Healthy. 'Equal and included is the golden thread, linking all our work together.  

Every year, we work in partnership with Catherine Kirk from Nottingham City Council on developing a collaborative schools project and resources to celebrate Relationship & Sex Education (RSE) Day. 

For 2025, the theme is 'Communicate' focusing on healthy, positive communication in relationships. Together we have commissioned artist Millie Yarwood to gather children and young people’s views and create a mural in the Arboretum. Millie has also run a creative CPD session for teachers.

Find out about the work of the  Achieve Well Team and get involved!

RSE Day Workshop 2025 

Connecting Notts is our Youth Cultural Partnership that meets monthly to bring together representatives from ChalleNGe arts and community partners (16-26 year olds) to collaborate and engage the next generation of cultural leaders in the city. 

Facilitated by ChalleNGe and Upstart Projects (who also run Voice Mag) members of Connecting Notts plan events for a wider network of young people, to better connect, network and shape arts opportunities and professional development for young people.

We believe that art opportunities should be on every child's doorstep, in neighbourhoods, schools and parks - as well as within the fabulous arts venues of our city.  

We work in close partnership with Bulwell Arts Festival (hosted by One Vision Partnership), Bilborough Arts Festival and the new Clifton Arts Festival group to support local creative activities in community centres, schools and libraries in these local neighbourhoods. Look back on the summer festivals here: Bulwell Arts Festival 2025 Brochure

Bilborough Arts Festival 2025 Brochure

Bulwell Arts Festival is proud to present a new winter festival in 2025 at Bulwell Forest Garden!