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Freelance Careers That Keep the UK's Creatives Running Safely

From health and safety consultants to cybersecurity experts and fire risk assessors, these careers demonstrate that creativity and safety go hand in hand...

Art works: Emily Grey of art collective Moonbuns talks about creative connections and nourishing the soul

For this month’s Art Works we spoke to Emily Grey, member of art collective Moonbuns, who talks about creative connections and nourishing the soul.

Everything to know about Sidedoor Social: where Notts creatives showcase their work

Ever wondered what to do with those almost-finished creative projects, or have you just been seeking opportunities to share personal passions? Sidedoor Social, a new Nottingham social enterprise, is probably what you’re looking for. Their founder Si Beales and creative director Bo Brindle tell us all about it...

Interview: Author Ian C Douglas' new creative writing courses at Nottingham Trent University

This summer, local author Ian C Douglas is teaching two new world-building courses as part of Nottingham Trent University's Creative Short Courses programme. He chats to LeftLion about making stuff up... 

AI And The Independent Creative: Friend, Foe, Or Just Another Tool?

Few subjects divide a room of artists, musicians, and filmmakers quite as sharply as artificial intelligence. For some, it is an exciting new instrument, full of possibility, that lowers barriers and frees up time for the work that matters. For others, it is a genuine threat to livelihoods and to the very value of human craft, built on the uncredited labour of the people it now competes with. Nottingham's independent creative scene, never shy of a strong opinion, is having this argument in studios, venues, and pubs across the city. So where does the truth actually sit?

Why Secure Mail is Becoming Essential for Creatives

If you make your living from a laptop in Nottingham, whether you're an illustrator, photographer, music producer, writer or something entirely different, your inbox has probably become the front door to your business. Enquiries land there, contracts get signed there, and invoices go back and forth without much thought. The trouble is that most of us never stop to ask how private that front door actually is, or who else might be able to peek through it.

Take Flight: Ria Ashcroft tells us about her circus theatre show for 0-2 year olds which comes to Lakeside Arts this weekend...

Blending theatre and aerial silks, Take Flight is a multi-sensory, interactive show from local theatre company Rebel Sparks. Coming to Lakeside Arts this weekend, we sat down for a chat with co-artistic director Ria Ashcroft from Circus Hub to hear more about this unique form of children's entertainment...

Musicals, indie markets, creative workshops and animated musical legends... Here's what's on in Nottingham this week 23 - 29 March

Creativity abounds this week in Nottingham! Check out classic West End musicals, mix with other creative folks, check out the handcrafted wares of local artists, or see animated musical legends Gorillaz live. Here's our top picks...

Hidden Threats: Why Creatives Should Scan for Rootkits on Their Devices

Today's creative workers spend practically all of their time working in digital environments. Designers, editors of videos, photographers, musicians, and artists keep everything on their devices. We are talking about portfolios and client data, sensitive projects and even personal thoughts. That is why their laptops became an attractive target for cybercriminals.

Music legends, indie bands, and creative writing at Wollaton Hall: Here's what's on this week in Nottingham 9 March - 15 March

It's Spring and we'll soon be feeling more sunlight on our skin. To accompany the banishment of the winter blues, why not line up something nice to do this week in Notts? There's plenty to check out, including the arrival of not one but two legendary UK guitar bands... 

Shaking the foundations: Nate Coltrane on the next stages of creative project Our Yard

If ‘Our Yard’ is a phrase as of yet unfamiliar to you, it’s definitely worth visiting the New Art Exchange this month. Currently, the Hyson Green-based gallery is hosting Our Yard: Foundations – a multimedia exhibition curated by Notts music promoter and community organiser Nate Coltrane, which bookends years of creative work he’s been doing to highlight immigration’s positive impact on the UK. In advance of the exhibition’s launch, Nate walked us through how Our Yard has evolved since its inception. 

Shakespeare Unfolded Festival: A celebration of insightful performances and creative exploration coming to Nottingham

Between Mon 16 – Sat 21 March Nottingham's Theatre Royal and Royal Concert Hall will be hosting a free festival of performances, workshops, academic insight and open mic nights; inviting audiences to experience William Shakespeare’s classic works in new ways...

Universities for Nottingham’s Collaboratory Research Hub programme is seeking committed Nottingham citizens for paid event shaping local research

The groundbreaking Collaboratory Research Hub programme is looking for local workers, people who are active in the community, and those with lived experience of facing complex challenges to take part in upcoming paid events that will help set the research agenda...

Step Right Up! Sneinton Market's Circus Hub tell us about their inclusive range of classes

If January, or life in general, has you feeling slothful, running away with the circus can sound like just the right dose of romanticism. But rather than leave your entire life to cavort with clowns, how about heading down to Sneinton Market’s Circus Hub to try some aerial silks, hoop, rope, and trapeze. We spoke to owners Kay Monrose and Ria Ashcroft, to hear about the benefits of their diverse range of classes and why anyone can have a go at circus skills…

Local band Hurtsfall talk creative inspirations and the goth scene

With a darkly romantic sound and alluring stage presence, Hurtsfall have made their name as one of Nottingham’s best goth bands in recent years. We spoke to frontman Sam Harrison Emm to hear about the local goth scene, personal style and the literary and film inspirations behind their music…

Nottingham’s universities invite local residents with life and skills experiences to apply for community-focused research PhD projects

Nottingham Trent University (NTU) and the University of Nottingham (UoN) are inviting people from the local community to apply for paid, full-time PhD, and part-time Placement research projects that aim to improve the lives of communities across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire...

Creative and crafty: here's what to look forward to at Young Hustlers 2025

Year on year, Young Hustlers proves itself to be a vital part of our city’s annual arts and culture spectacular Hockley Hustle, providing a host of fun activities to facilitate the creative expression of local kids. It also gets bigger each year, and in 2025 will have an extra-packed, arty and crafty programme, which is this year titled ‘Around the World’. Here’s what you can expect… 

We celebrate one year of The Grove with the team that have made it a creative hub for local music

Proving that you don’t need a big budget to make a big impact, The Grove is built by gig-goers, run by musicians, and powered by the scene. It may be small in size, but Talia Robinson discovers that it’s massive in heart, helping local artists record, perform, and find their place in Nottingham’s ever-growing music family... 

Cherelle Fulton tells us about Behind Closed Doors: a program spotlighting creative women in Notts

Over at New Art Exchange, Behind Closed Doors is creating a new space for women in the creative industries to connect, collaborate and reshape the scene in Nottingham. Co-ordinator Cherelle Fulton discusses what fuelled her projects, including live music night Can’t Stand The Rain, the importance of community and connectivity, and creating safe spaces for women.

The Young Creative Awards Celebrate a Bumper Year

Chicago takes over Notts, unleash your Primal Scream, get creative with Collage N’ Cocktails, and lots more: here’s what’s on in Nottingham this week 7 April - 13 April 2025

With BBC Introducing’s Tom Hewitt and Riley Marsh making appearances in Acoustic Rooms, to 130 years of War of the Worlds and a Broadway classic making its way to Nottingham's Theatre Royal, there is a lot going on this week in Nottingham so make sure to clear your calendars…

Undefeated: Frank Turner talks about his creative processes and affiliation with Nottingham ahead of his Rock City show

There are many ways to describe musician Frank Turner: a songwriting master, a touring machine, a festival season staple. Now back with his latest album, Undefeated, he embarks on the UK leg of his tour this month, with a much-anticipated, sold-out stop at the legendary Rock City. We caught up with him to discuss Undefeated, his affiliation with Nottingham, his creative processes and where he finds his inspirations…

Circle of Light director Tiffany Jade tells us about the future of creative hub Fisher Gate Point

Over the past five years Fisher Gate Point has been slowly blossoming into a creative and cultural hub in Nottingham, home to numerous collectives, businesses and events, from the Hockley Hustle crew, to Circle of Light. With a new cafe, exhibition and events space, they are currently gearing up for their launch party on International Women’s Day. We spoke to one of the people at its helm, Tiffany Jade, about the many programs she’s facilitated at the centre.