LEICESTER is set to come alive with artistry later this week, with the arrival of the UKNA City Takeover.
UKNA City takeover, Leicester 2022 is a three-day event organised by national charity UK New Artists (UKNA), who champion the next generation of creativity by supporting and developing the careers of artists in the first ten years of their practice.
The City Takeover will animate Leicester’s city centre with free exhibitions, performances and residencies in cultural venues and unusual spaces from Friday, February 25 to Sunday 27.
20 artists will take up residence in Leicester for the weekend; participating in collaborative workshops and sharing ideas and knowledge. Artists and the public can also enjoy a programme of 12 talks and workshops over the weekend, which are all free to attend.
Selected artists for Leicester 2022 work across a range of disciplines, from music to visual arts, poetry to dance, applied arts to theatre. More than 50 artists will be presenting work for audiences to enjoy at venues including Curve, The Attenborough Arts Centre, The Y-Theatre and the Phoenix.
Councillor Piara Singh Clair, has welcomed the event as a platform for showcasing Leicester’s “world class artistic and cultural offer.”
“We believe that arts and culture are there for everyone to enjoy and participate in, regardless of age, colour or background, so we are delighted to welcome some of the UK’s most exciting new artists to Leicester to showcase their talents in our renowned venues and take art and performance out to the people of our diverse and vibrant city,” she added.
As a National Portfolio Organisation for Arts Council England, the City Takeover is funded and supported by the organisation as well as De Montfort, Nottingham Trent, Derby and Lincoln Universities.
UKNA received support from the Culture Recovery Fund to help deliver UKNA City Takeover in Leicester.
“The last two years have been exceptionally challenging for everyone, and we are thrilled that at last we can bring wonderful creatives and artists from across the UK to the City of Leicester,” said Michelle Bowen, Director of UK New Artists.
“I hope that our City Takeover will be an opportunity for everyone to enjoy and celebrate the work of these exciting artists”
To find out more about the artists involved, visit: https://uknewartists.co.uk/leicester-2022
