It is with regret that we share that on 2 March 2026, City Arts’ lease on 11-13 Hockley comes to an end. Due to the challenges and pressures created by the economic climate, we are unable to continue in our building beyond this point.
This represents a huge change for City Arts, and for those we have been privileged to host and support over the last 12 years.
As the number of buildings available to artists that are secure, affordable and welcoming are becoming less, 11-13 Hockley has occupied a unique place in Nottingham, offering a home to many groups and artists. However, we now find ourselves in the same situation.
Having had a secure base of our own, with exhibition & event space, offices and storage has been invaluable. It is this security that has been a key factor in enabling City Arts to reach many thousands of people through our work – from weekly workshops with Get Creative and community-led online summits, to large scale outdoor festivals including Hoopla! and Nottingham Puppet Festival.
As well as being a home to our talented and committed team, we’ve been able to extend this space to many brilliant artists from Nottingham’s communities including Inspire Urself Carnival Troupe, Young Producers, Puppet Club, Gang of Angels Choir, When Women Gather, Can Samba, The Entertainers Steel Pan Band and more.
11-13 Hockley has brought together partnerships across the city and region, but also nationally and internationally, enabling us to work across artforms and across the globe. We have offered a platform to a broad range of individuals whose practice chimes with our mission, giving space and time to ongoing discussions around the development of community centered and socially engaged practice.
Our on-street Window Gallery has brought numerous exhibitions to the Nottingham public passing by. We have shared the work of grassroots groups, local artists and designers, artists from around the UK and artists working across the globe. We have created interactive exhibitions, illuminated displays for Nottingham’s Light Night festival, poetry and visual collaborations, puppetry and masks and so much more.
Coming together in this building, and enriching each others’ work, has also enriched the cultural offer for people in Nottingham beyond measure.
We are desperately sad that circumstances are against us, and we are having to close the doors on our Hockley home. We know that this will be a loss to the people who rely on us, and a gap in the city’s cultural offer. At City Arts we pride ourselves as often being someone’s first experience of culture, or an artist’s first steps into their career. This space has supported a huge amount of creativity and joy, but it has been an access point to culture for many, and it will leave a huge gap.
We want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has stepped through our doors and shared their creativity and their artistry.
We are beyond proud of all that we have achieved together, and we will continue to share in the joy of the memories we have created here with you all.
Suzannah, Alison, Alma, Joe, Mell & Laura
The City Arts Team