Our Partners

Backlit is an artist-led gallery and studio space based in Nottingham, hosting an annual programme of events and exhibitions

BeatFeet are the UK’s No.1 provider of drumming, dance and well-being workshops. They provide top quality, educational and unifying experiences for all settings. 

Broadway support young people to begin their film and artistic careers, and mid-career talent to progress further. 

The Children's University, at Nottingham Trent University, recognises and rewards the learning and activities that children take part in outside normal school hours and is open to children aged 7 to 14 if their school has signed up to the scheme. 

City Arts works with young people aged 13 - 17 years, developing skills and supporting wellbeing in a safe creative environment. 

Annual Arts Festivals bring together schools and community groups to celebrate local creativity!  Bulwell Arts Festival 

Bilborough Arts Festival   Wollaton Festival 

Sherwood Art Week 

The CQ is an economic development agency, jointly owned by Nottingham Trent University and Nottingham City Council, to be a catalyst and an enabler of Nottingham’s future success.  They support creative businesses to start-up, to spin-out, to grow and to thrive and host Young Creatives Club events in collaboration with the Young Creative Awards.

Dance4 work in partnership with schools to better connect children and young people to the opportunities they offer, from taking part in performances to working with professional artists. They support teachers to develop their own professional dance practice. 

Dragon Breath Theatre is an award-winning Nottingham theatre company who create innovative, immersive drama experiences for young people in theatres, museums and schools, engaging students with exciting and challenging ideas about the world. Their productions are created alongside pupils, and supported by workshops and extensive education resources devised in collaboration with teachers, which address cross-curriculum needs, Literacy and PSHE. Please email for more information.

First Story provide high-quality creative writing opportunities for young people in schools in low-income communities. They also provide training for teachers and educators to equip them with the confidence and skills to teach creative writing.

Hockley Hustle started in 2006 and hosts an annual weekend festival in October, with over 35 venues across Hockley, including Broadway Cafe Bar, Rough Trade, The Bodega, Nottingham Contemporary and JamCafe. Ticket sales have raise over £150,000 for local charities. Young Hustlers provides performance opportunities and creative workshops for children and families. 

Ignite! link up scientists and creative practitioners to deliver projects with pupils where they explore science in a different way. They forge new partnerships to create exciting and engaging educational projects; and work internationally - in Nottingham, London, Europe and Africa.  

Lakeside offer regular Youth Theatre, Gallery Art Groups and Young Archaeologists Clubs for a range of ages and interests. There are Summer Schools, opportunities for young people to work towards their Arts Award or Artsmark qualifications and CPD sessions for teachers. 

Lit Theatre Company inspires children and young people to ignite their creativity. They are a collective of artists who deliver specialist workshops, youth theatre and development programmes. They're also an Arts Award Centre and Artsmark partner.  Email to find out more.

Based at Nottingham’s historic courthouse and County Gaol, the National Justice Museum provides an exciting insight into law, crime and justice.  They offer an extensive range of workshops, directly linked to museum collections and exhibitions. 

 Schools and other education providers are warmly welcomed to New Art Exchange and invited to take part in a lively programme of activities that has relevance to the National Curriculum but also extends beyond it.

Next Door Dance currently run 3 youth companies across Nottingham and Derbyshire developing contemporary dance technique and creativity. They offer a number of opportunities and projects for young people to be involved in throughout the  year.

Nonsuch runs Youth Theatre workshops, schools projects and city-wide young producers programmes.  They have new Studios in the city centre, bringing music, comedy and theatre performances. 

Nottingham Castle inspires learners with the real and imagined events that shaped our country’s democracy and human rights, especially the ever-resonant stories of Robin Hood and Rebellion! Alongside these incredible narratives visitors can discover Nottingham’s rich history, heritage and creativity through the collections. 

A variety of curriculum-based facilitated sessions for school pupils of all ages are offered across Nottingham Museums sites. Link to schools programme team: 

There are 15 libraries around the city, many regularly host school visits and provide workshops, performances, activities and talks. 

Find your local library.

Explore international art at the Gallery with lots of free resources and support for schools. There are also resources to support emotional wellbeing, speaking and listening, creative writing, and ESOL. Link to Learning team pages: 

Nottingham Music Hub are committed to making music more accessible and inclusive. They support young people from across the city to develop their musical skills and participate in diverse ensembles and performances in partnership with schools. 

Nottingham Playhouse welcomes children and young people to the theatre, with performance and workshop packages and youth drama opportunities around the city.  Link to schools team: 

The UNESCO City of Literature team work collaboratively with partner organisations to develop new writing talent and produce events and programmes to inspire young people. 

Primary is an artist-led space that supports creative research through artist studios and residencies, public exhibitions and events.

Skate Nottingham gives free skate lessons where skateboarders receive training and certification to support and inspire others, and develops a range of projects including free photography workshops, independent skate video nights and ‘Skate & Create’ sessions.

TRCH is the Lead Theatre Partner in the RSC Associate School Programme in Nottingham, working with the RSC and the P6P to bring about a significant change in the way young people experience, engage with, and take ownership of the work of Shakespeare.  Link to Creative Learning team: 

UKYA supports artists’ development and practice; celebrating creativity at national & international biennials. Their engagement manager sits on our Operations group and is dedicated to ensuring wider participation and supporting arts awards. 

The University of Nottingham Museum offers Travelling Exhibitions for Key Stage 1 & 2; antique travelling trunks housing a treasure trove of artefacts, replicas, costumes, games and activities based on local historic sites. To hire for two weeks, contact Michelle Johnson, Museum Administrator, or call 0115 748 4950 or  

Open to all 11-24 year olds, the Young Creative Awards are an annual opportunity for young people to show off their skills across a wide variety of creative categories: Digital and Animation, Design and Architecture, Creative Writing, Dance, Drama, Fashion and Textiles, Film, Graphic Design, Music, Photography and Visual Arts. 

If you run or work for an arts organisation that supports children and young people's creativity in Nottingham, join ChalleNGe as an Arts Partner! You will be invited to quarterly Operations team meetings and we will involve you in our evaluation and learning activities. Get in touch with Cathy Mahmood.