A brief history of Nottingham’s art ecosystem
Nottingham, home to the legendary Robin Hood, is a cathedral city in England. From exploring its art galleries, museums, music festivals, and water sports activities, you will never fall short of experiencing things in Nottingham.
The Nottingham Society of Artists, founded in 1880, was crucial in establishing a formal artistic community, fostering local talent, and promoting exhibitions. The Nottingham Castle, which was ordered to be built in 1068 by William the Conqueror, has a history of 1000 years. It stores Nottingham’s decorative and fine art collections. The Gallery has stored some of the works of artists like Christopher Lee Burn, Ben Nicholson, Stanley Spencer, and more. It has housed notable art collections and temporary exhibitions over the years.
Nottingham has a range of public artworks throughout the city, mostly from the 20th century. Some include the traditional statues of Robin Hood by James Woodford and Lee Johnson’s statue of Brian Clough. The Flemish painter even beautifully painted a landscape of Nottingham from the east in 1695. Contemporary works include the artworks of Anish Kapoor’s “Sky Mirror” at Nottingham Playhouse and “Aspire” by Ken Shuttleworth at the University of Nottingham.
Moreover, establishing Nottingham Contemporary in 2009 in Lace Market marked a significant turning point, bringing international contemporary art to the city and solidifying Nottingham’s place on the national and international art map. The New Art Exchange contemporary Art Galley in Nottingham’s Hyson Green neighbourhood represents the contexts of Black, Asian and minority ethnic artists and communities.
As the artist Wassily Kandinsky wrote, ‘Color is a power which directly influences the soul.” This highlights the universal language of art, transcending cultural and linguistic barriers, a principle shared by Nottingham’s inclusive art scene.”
Must visit museums for art lovers in Nottingham
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Nottingham Contemporary
Address: Weekday Cross, Nottingham NG1 2GB, United Kingdom
Admission: Free
Nottingham Contemporary is one of the UK's largest contemporary art galleries. It offers free exhibitions and special events, including gigs, talks, and family events. Since its opening in 2009, the Gallery has welcomed around 200 million visitors and presented more than 50 exhibitions. The Gallery has recently housed the works of contemporary artists such as Mark Lecky, Marvin Gaye Chetwynd, and Simon Starling.
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Nottingham Castle: Museum & Art Gallery
Address: Lenton Rd, Nottingham NG1 6EL, United Kingdom
Admission: $18.73 (Kids 15 years and under can go free)
The Nottingham Castle is a ducal mansion. After reopening, the museum houses most of Nottingham's decorative and fine art collections. Fine art from Britain and Europe is displayed in the Long Gallery of the Castle. The Gallery also houses the works of George Wallis, Watercolours by Richard Parkes Bonnington and Paul Sandby.
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New Art Exchange (NAE)
Address: 39, 41 Gregory Blvd, Nottingham NG7 6BE, United Kingdom
Admission: Free
The New Art Exchange is the UK's most significant contemporary visual art gallery in Nottingham. The Gallery represents the context of Black, Asian, and minority ethnic artists and communities. It showcases diverse perspectives and fosters cultural dialogue through art exhibitions, events including music, festivals, dance, film screenings, and educational programs
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The Harley Gallery
Address: A60 Mansfield Road Welbeck, Worksop, Nottinghamshire, S80 3LW
Admission: Free
The Harley Gallery and Foundation is an educational charity. The Gallery was built in 1994. Art exhibitions in the Harley Gallery showcase artworks by the world's leading contemporary artists and makers. Previous fine art exhibitions have included the works of David Hockney, Peter Blake, Euan Uglow, and George Stubbs.
Explore Elisium Art’s most loved artworks in Nottingham
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Explore Elisium Art’s most loved artists in Nottingham
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Nottingham Art Adventure: A 2-Day Binge for Art Lovers (and Secret Deal Hunters!)
Nottingham's art scene blends historical collections with cutting-edge contemporary works, offering a diverse experience for art enthusiasts. At Elisium Art, we have created this two-day binge for art lovers and savvy travellers seeking to explore Nottingham's artistic treasures.
Day 1: Historical and Contemporary Contrasts
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Morning
Start your first day at Nottingham Castle: Museums and Galleries (Nottingham Castle art gallery). Inside the Museum are the Nottingham Lace Gallery, the Craft Gallery, the Museum & Art collections in the Long Gallery, the Museum of the Mercian Regiment, and the Robin Hood Adventures. On visiting, you will find an assistant in the visitor centre about your admission from the Museum’s team. You can stroll around with your kids at the adventure play area. Then, grab a coffee at one of their cafes. You can take a walk to their “Grounds” for a short break. Then head to Brewhouse yard cottages, one of the hidden gems inside the Nottingham Castle. The 17th-century cottages are worth admiring. They tell the stories of people who once lived there. Visitors can also explore the homes of four families, each connected to Nottingham’s history of textiles.
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Afternoon
Then head to Nottingham Alabaster. The Gallery displays Nottingham City Museums and Galleries’ impressive alabaster panels and statues collection. Then, visit the Lace Gallery to view its outstanding collections. The Lace Gallery contains a brief history of lace machinery and dresses in Nottingham.
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Mid-Afternoon
Since 1878, Nottingham Castle has been displaying art and crafts to inspire designers in the local lace industry in their “Long Gallery.” The Gallery highlights visual arts collections. The Gallery also has a collection of two beautiful still-life paintings by Barend Van der Meer and two Rest on the Flight into Egypt paintings. Then, visit the Museum of the Mercian Regiment; the Gallery tells the history of the Mercian Regiment and its Antecedent Regiments for Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, the Rebellion Gallery, and its extension, the Robin Hood Adventures. Also, don’t miss their Cave tour.
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Evening
After a busy day exploring Nottingham Castle’s beauty, enjoy dinner in the Lace Market or Hockley, known for its vibrant nightlife and diverse culinary scene. Consider catching a performance at the Nottingham Playhouse for a dose of performing arts.
Day 2: Diverse Perspectives and Local Discoveries
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Morning
Visit the New Art Exchange in Hyson Green, dedicated to contemporary visual arts from the Global ethnic majority. The centre is divided into a visual arts gallery, workshop spaces, studios, rehearsal spaces, and facilities for an artist in residence. The NAE presents major international exhibitions and works by world-renowned artists. This Gallery showcases contemporary art by British and international artists of African, Caribbean, and South Asian descent, offering unique and diverse perspectives. The NAE also partners locally and internationally, connecting audiences and artists worldwide for innovative collaborations and opportunities.
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Afternoon
Head to Nottingham Contemporary, a leading “modern art gallery in Nottingham” in Lace Market. The Nottingham Contemporary is one of the largest spaces in the UK, with four galleries, an auditorium, an education space, and a study centre. The building of this art space was designed by London architect Caruso St John. Immerse yourself in their exhibitions of international contemporary art. As admission is free, you can allocate your budget to the café or bookshop.
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Mid-Afternoon
If time allows, consider a short trip to The Harley Gallery on the Welbeck Estate (just outside Nottingham). It offers a blend of historical and contemporary art and craft in a beautiful rural setting. The Gallery offers some outstanding pieces of art, including Charles 1 by Jean Petitot, William Cavendish, 1st Earl of Devonshire, and a portrait of Margaret Douglas by an unknown artist.
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Evening
Then, back to Nottingham to enjoy a final meal before wrapping up your day. Reflecting on your art-filled adventure, consider visiting a local pub with live music to experience another facet of Nottingham’s cultural scene. Visit local pubs like the Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem. Be at One Cocktail Bar, Rock City. Some of Nottingham’s best live music venues are the Bodega, Metronome, and the Level.
Tips To Improve Your Experience
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Bonus Tip
Nottingham is easily accessible by public transport from major UK airports and cities, including London, Birmingham, Manchester, and East Midlands Airport.
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Pro-Tip
Many of Nottingham’s museums and galleries offer free admission to their permanent collections. To save on travel costs, use public transport or walk between venues in the city centre.
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Secret Weapon
Want to discover Nottingham’s hidden art gems? Skip the usual spots and explore independent studios, pop-up exhibitions, and artist-led spaces like Backlit and Surface Gallery.
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Expand Your Artistic Horizons
Consider broadening your horizons further. Elisium Art connects collectors with museum-quality contemporary paintings by highly talented artists from emerging countries worldwide, offering a curated online platform for discovering exceptional pieces you might not otherwise encounter. Elisium Art offers a way to expand your collection and discover truly unique works from across the globe.
