Get Involved

Our Associates

Find out about the artists and groups that we host in our building, and how to get involved with their activities.

A vibrant street parade featuring performers in elaborate costumes inspired by traditional Chinese designs. The participants wear red, black, and gold outfits adorned with intricate patterns and large feathered structures in shades of blue, yellow, and red. Some hold decorative shields and wave brightly colored fabric.
Inspire Urself Carnival Troupe,

At 11-13 Hockley, City Arts provides a creative space for a wide variety of artists, performers and community groups.

By providing them with space, our support enables a range of grassroots artists and companies to rehearse, host workshops for the public and connect with other cultural organisations in the city.

The people and groups we support add value to the cultural life of our city, creating opportunities for the communities of Nottingham. They are:

Follow the links or keep scrolling for more information, to find out how to take part and for instructions on how to contact each associates.

Can Samba Bateria

Samba Band

Nottingham’s premier Samba Batería, playing Brazilian influenced Samba rhythms. Band leader Ceri Howells has spent time in Brazil picking up the best beats. The percussionists bring a carnival sound to parades and events up and down the country.

Take Part

Anyone can be part of the Can Samba Bateria by joining their monthly band rehearsals at City Arts. Contact them via cansamba@gmail.com for more information.

DIY Poets

Poetry Collective

A group of ten people pose outdoors in front of a festival tent, smiling for the camera. They are dressed in colorful and eclectic clothing, with some wearing floral prints, bright patterns, and bold accessories. One person in the center holds a black and orange sign that reads "DIY Poets" with the phrase "Write Nice and We Don’t Always Rhyme" around the edge.

We’re nice and we don’t always rhyme.

DIY Poets is a Nottingham-based poetry collective. The members host a quarterly showcase at City Arts, where they perform alongside a guest poet and open mic performers. They also produce a quarterly zine which is distributed around Nottingham City Centre.

Take Part

DIY Poets usually meet virtually, at 8pm, on the first Wednesday of each month. Find out how to join by contacting them. Anyone can attend their quarterly showcases.

The Entertainers Steel Band

Music Workshops

Musician Lionel McCalman runs a weekly steel pan workshop at City Arts, alongside Glenn Charles of the ‘UK Trinis and Friends’ carnival group. The workshops explore the musical rhythms of the Caribbean and Latin America, as well as jazz.

Take Part

The workshops are open to all ages. They take place on Wednesdays, 6-8pm. Email Lionel directly to book a place via panmusician@gmail.com.

The Gang of Angels

Choir

diverse group of singers perform on stage under red stage lights. They are dressed in a mix of formal and casual attire, including shimmering dresses, vests, and wide-brimmed hats. Some hold microphones while others harmonize.
Photo by John Berry

The G.O.A. is a bold and boundary-pushing collective of voices, fusing Alt-Soul into a dynamic, genre-defying sound.

This Nottingham-based ensemble is led by Honey Williams, who also vocally arranges the choir. Through innovative arrangements and collaborations with acclaimed artists, G.O.A. reimagines music with a fresh, powerful energy.

Take Part

You can join the choir, attend a vocal workshop or have 1 on 1 singing sessions led by Honey Williams. The choir welcomes those who share a passion for artistic expression. To get involved, contact the choir via Instagram.

Honey Williams

Multidisciplinary Artist

Honey Williams is an award-winning multidisciplinary artist whose practice is divided into sonic and visual art. It spans painting, illustration, mural-making, graphic design, DJing, music, and performance. She explores identity, beauty, culture, and social justice through her work. Her creative workshops, often centring marginalised voices, foster creativity, community cultivation and empowerment.

Take Part

Honey’s upcoming workshop and performances will be promoted on her Instagram @thehoneyeffect. Visit Honey’s website.

Inspire Urself Carnival Troupe

Carnival Arts

A carnival troupe that empowers young people through carnival arts. Inspire Urself offers a mix of dance workshops and other creative opportunities. Their work aims to foster artistic excellence via education and creativity. It celebrates self-expression and cultural heritage.

Take Part

You can join Inspire Urself’s exciting Saturday sessions at City Arts. By becoming a member of the carnival troupe, you’ll have the opportunity to perform, tour and go on cultural trips. Visit Inspire Urself’s website.

Kate Lawrence

Visual Artist

A conceptual art installation featuring a white pedestal with a dark-edged tray containing sheets of paper. The visible sheet reads, "There is more information there." Behind it, a wall is covered with neatly arranged white pages, each containing fragments of text.

A multi-disciplinary artist whose work concerns time, language, and place. Kate’s approaches include drawing, printmaking and book arts. Because of the ever-growing anxieties of the digital age, Kate’s work tries to combine analogue and digital processes. Kate is also a member of City Arts’ Young Producers collective.

Take Part

Kate runs workshops, including bookbinding and zine making. Look out for information on her Instagram @katelawrenceart

The Secret Violin Workshop

Violin, Viola and Cello restoration, repair and re-voicing

Dr Mike Sutton donates violins, and offers free repairs of string instruments, to Nottingham Music Hub and the Robin Hood Orchestra. He has taken his long-term violin restoration hobby and developed it further by exploring and inventing innovative techniques in restoration and repair. He also presents “Violins with Stories” an evolving musical event starring cultural heritage violins with interesting personal stories.

Check out Mike’s website and blogsite: “Super Sustainable Student Violins”.

When Women Gather CIC

Expressive Arts Workshops and Events 

Two women stand back-to-back in a wooded outdoor setting, both smiling warmly. One wears a blue shirt with a patterned apron and an orange headscarf, while the other wears glasses and a long-sleeved, flowing top with an orange fruit pattern. The background is filled with tall trees and glowing lanterns.

Founded by Janet Rose and Jude Winwood, When Women Gather supports women’s wellbeing through expressive arts. They offer participatory workshops in dance, music-making, drama, and visual arts. Their community celebration events and wellbeing talks, nurture creativity, connection, and empowerment for women.

Take Part

Follow When Women Gather on social media for updates on activities and events. Instagram & Facebook.