Lincolnshire boasts high levels of life satisfaction and a deep sense of civic pride. Whether it’s the redevelopment of dockyard heritage, our vast rural countryside and areas of outstanding natural beauty, or the flags flown in celebration of our culture as you drive through the agricultural south, there is a strong sense of identity. Being a yellowbelly or simply being from Lincolnshire means something unique to each of us.

Our season so far has seen film students highlight and celebrate Lincoln’s voluntary and community organisations in collaboration with Lincoln City Council. Some incredible documentaries were shared, featuring community gardeners, litter pickers, grassroots music venues, and more; showcasing the people who make this city great.

We’ve hosted the international film festival Indie-Lincs and presented a stunning dance showcase from BA Dance students.

Students from Technical Theatre and Stage Management have hosted Technically Speaking, a nationally significant conference exploring how more people can find a home in the creative industries through theatre, live performance, and technology.

Two brilliant pieces of new writing were shared at Demo: John Booker’s Bwoy Dem and Adam & Eve (& Steve) by Ashley Gregory.

Currently, we are in the final week of Toil & Trouble: How We Find Out Who We Are, our latest gallery exhibition, which has been excitingly disrupted midway by local artist collective General Practice.

We are also in the midst of a residency by Maison Foo, the first Theatre Company of Sanctuary in the East Midlands. They are presenting an exhibition: Meet Your Neighbour, alongside A Seat at Our Table, a unique performance experience celebrating food, family, and friendship, co-created with global friends seeking sanctuary in the UK. Tomorrow (Friday 7 March) we’re also co-hosting a conversation with Lincoln City of Sanctuary and stakeholders across the county.

What’s Coming Up:

• A celebration of community and people who are resilient by locally supported artist Tinashe Chipawe, who presents an originally commissioned collection of bright and colourful paintings in the gallery. (14-27 April)
• Another original local commission by Associate Artists Casson & Friends: Shed Stories (3 April), packed with human, humorous, and heart-warming tales of making sawdust, friendships, and cups of tea! They are currently in residence at a Men’s Shed in Boston as we speak.
• A brand-new theatre piece for families by local artists Boondog Balladeers: Captain Godfrey and the Last Shanty (26–27 April), performed on the same day as the nationally recognised The Gruffalo. Audiences can experience both on the same day!
• A triple bill of short plays presented together, driven by the provocation about what we do in what spaces matter. Written by Anyebe Godwin, Yusra Warsama and Magero entitled EVERYWHERE (4 April)
• · And finally a celebration of youth dance from across Greater Lincolnshire called True Motion (12 April)

This season has been huge for brand-new, local, and original works of art that celebrate our place. I’m so proud of the role Lincoln Arts Centre is playing in championing local talent while ensuring our stories are part of the national conversation.

If you’re interested in finding out more about how we make, create, commission and produce new work then check out our Open to Ideas artistic policy.