First for everyone
See the world differently – experience the very best art and culture from around the world that inspires, empowers and opens your mind.
An international gallery and creative community space, Firstsite is open all year round, for free, for everyone.
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Top picks
Exhibitions
Free
Antony Gormley: Field for the British Isles
16th November 2019 - 8th March 2020
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Experience this vast and iconic artwork at Firstsite, celebrating community, individuality and togetherness. Field for the British Isles, which consists of 40,000 tiny individual terracotta figures, is the largest single artwork in the Arts Council Collection and its arrival…
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Stour Surrounding: Artists and the Valley
30th January 2020
7:00 pm
Screening followed by Q+A with artists Jevan Watkins Jones, Simon Carter and Jenny Hand, Director The Munnings Art Gallery. ‘Stour Surrounding – Artists and the Valley’ is a documentary film that takes a look at artists both past and…
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Parasite + satellite Q&A with director Bong Joon Ho
3rd February 2020
6:00 pm
Join us at Firstsite for a special preview screening of ‘Parasite’, ahead of the main cinema release. Includes a live satellite Q&A with director Bong Joon Ho. Meet the Park Family: the picture of aspirational wealth. And the Kim…
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Free
Aidan Moesby | Sagacity: The Periodic Table of Emotions
15th November 2019 - 8th March 2020
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sagacity is a live and responsive installation based around the Periodic Table, reflecting the emotional state of its location. Its installation at Firstsite shows the current mood of our visitors, and will record the feelings of participants from November…
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Art Class: Pet Portraits
8th February 2020
Led by local artist Jacqueline South, this one day course gives you the opportunity to learn and develop pastel techniques. Working from an image of your pet, you will transfer your image onto pastel paper, apply and blend pastels…
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Limitless | Junior Street Dance
28th January - 31st March 2020
Multiple times available
Breakdance skills for 8 – 14 year olds. Join the Limitless dancers Andi Mill and Isaac James to try out the basics of street dancing in a cool, fun and energetic environment. Please wear comfortable clothing – loose t-shirts,…
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Art Class: Life Drawing for all abilities
28th January - 24th March 2020
Multiple times available
Led by Colchester Art Society artist Sally Delany, this 13 week course gives you the opportunity to work with a variety of media, including charcoal, pencil and pastels, to explore the human form. Drawing from clothed and nude models,…
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Tai Chi | Beginners
30th January - 2nd April 2020
Multiple times available
Increase your flexibility, improve your balance and help lower your stress and anxiety, with relaxing sessions of Tai-Chi at Firstsite. This traditional Yang Style 24 step Tai-Chi is taught on a continuous basis and learners will develop through the…
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Take a look at our shop
Featuring a range of design-led and affordable products, inspired by our exhibition programme, events and community, our shop has something for everyone. All profits from your purchase raises funds to help us keep our exhibitions free and supports our community outreach activities.
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Hire Firstsite
Firstsite’s stunning architecture and versatile spaces creates a fun and inspiring venue for any event – from private parties to conferences, community meetings and presentations. Plus, by hiring our spaces you can support the local community as any profits go straight back into funding our exhibitions and outreach projects.
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Latest news
Firstsite Collectors’ Group Award Winners 2020 Announced
27th January 2020
by Jasmine Crellin, Firstsite volunteer blogger “The arts are the best insurance policy a city can take on itself ”, once said the major of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Although Colchester may technically still be a town, it’s one…
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