Welcome to Firstsite!
Firstsite is Art Fund Museum of the Year 2021.
See the world differently – experience the very best art and culture from around the world that inspires, empowers and opens your mind.
Enjoy our exhibitions, films and events. Relax in our colourful cafe with outdoor seating and find quirky, fun and stylish products in our shop.
Don’t miss the free BIG WOMEN exhibition – open until 18 June 2023.
See What's onWhat's on
Top picks
Exhibitions
Free
Talks & Events
Andrew Graham-Dixon in conversation with Mark Bills
1 June 2023
7:00 pm
Art critic and presenter Andrew Graham-Dixon and Mark Bills, Director of Gainsborough’s House will delve into the history of art and creativity in East Anglia.
Read moreHoliday Fun
Free
Holiday Fun: May Half Term 2023 – Canteen
30 May - 2 June 2023
Multiple times available
Enjoy freshly made hot meals for all the family at Firstsite’s canteen in Colchester town centre.
Read moreCourses, Clubs & Classes
Drag Queen Life Drawing with Sirena Hart
25 February - 22 July 2023
Multiple times available
A one-of-a-kind life drawing class, where your tutor and model will offer multiple poses in fantastical settings.
Read moreExhibitions
Free
@background_bob and his amazing friends…back again!
1 April - 8 October 2023
Essex artist @background_bob returns to Firstsite for his third energetic and uplifting exhibition. ‘Back again!’ features over 270 collaborative artworks created by @background_bob with leading international street and graffiti artists including Mr Doodle, Shepard Fairey and Wrdsmith, other big…
Read moreExhibitions
Free
Mehdi Jalalaghdamian: Art In Exile
3 September 2022 - 3 September 2023
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Master rug-maker, Mehdi Jalalghdamian, draws attention to the experiences of refugees and asylum seekers worldwide through the traditional craft of Persian rug making
Read moreCourses, Clubs & Classes
Boozy Brushes
17 March - 28 July 2023
Multiple times available
Join Sirena Hart at Firstsite for Boozy Brushes – our New Multi-Art, Drag entertainment painting class extravaganza!
Read moreCourses, Clubs & Classes
Drumming Workshop
8 February - 19 July 2023
Multiple times available
Learn the basics of African Drumming with drumming tutor Hassan who is experienced in teaching people of all levels.
Read moreCommunity and Partners
Free
Colchester Record Fair
8 July 2023 - 5 November 2022
Multiple times available
Colchester’s Record Fair returns to Firstsite, a treat for both enthusiasts and casual collectors alike. Come browse through stall holders’ collections of vinyl and CDs from a vast range of genres. Grab yourself a bargain – or perhaps something a little rarer.
Read moreCinema
Exhibition On Screen: Vermeer
18 April - 9 June 2023
Multiple times available
In the spring of 2023, the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam will open its doors to the largest Vermeer exhibition in history.
Read moreCourses, Clubs & Classes
Free
YAK | Young Art Kommunity
8 June 2023 - 15 December 2022
Multiple times available
Young Art Kommunity (YAK) is Firstsite’s young-people peer led group which organises events and activities within the gallery and in the wider community.
Read moreCourses, Clubs & Classes
Sketch, Etch and Scones with Karen Densham
3 June - 2 September 2023
Multiple times available
An accessible and fun approach to printmaking where we will be exploring low tech printing methods like dry point etching, Lino cutting, mono printing, impression printing and more.
Read moreCinema
Dungeons And Dragons: Honour Among Thieves
7 May - 1 June 2023
Multiple times available
A charming thief and a band of unlikely adventurers undertake an epic heist to retrieve a lost relic, but things go dangerously awry.
Read moreCinema
National Theatre Live: Fleabag
15 - 25 June 2023
Multiple times available
Written and performed by Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag, Killing Eve) and directed by Vicky Jones, Fleabag is a rip-roaring look at some sort of woman living her life.
Read moreCinema
Polite Society
26 - 31 May 2023
Multiple times available
Polite Society’ follows martial artist-in-training Ria Khan who believes she must save her older sister Lena from her impending marriage.
Read moreCommunity and Partners
Free
Festival of Rice and Spice
24 June 2023
12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Celebrate Colchester’s diverse community through food, music and performances at the town’s annual festival of Rice and Spice – including children’s activities, workshops and a huge variety of food stalls.
Read moreCommunity and Partners
Free
S&B Colchester
8 June - 14 December 2023
Multiple times available
S&B Colchester is back for 2023 and ready to introduce you to a whole load of crafts! Join your hosts, local artists Amy & Meg to try out a different textile based technique each month in these fun,…
Read moreCinema
The Super Mario Bros. Movie (Relaxed)
27 May - 11 June 2023
Multiple times available
A plumber named Mario travels through an underground labyrinth with his brother, Luigi, trying to save a captured princess.
Read moreHoliday Fun
Free
Holiday Fun: May Half Term 2023 – Street Dance
30 May 2023
10:45 am
Children can show off their best moves over the May half term school holiday with Street Dance at Firstsite Holiday Fun in Colchester!
Read moreCinema
On Our Doorstep + Q&A
8 June 2023
7:30 pm
When the Calais ‘Jungle’ refugee camp was ignored & condemned by authorities, ordinary people stepped in to support the refugees stranded there.
Read moreTalks & Events
Kate Boxer, Maggi Hambling and Sarah Lucas in conversation
17 June 2023
7:00 pm
Artists Kate Boxer, Sarah Lucas and Maggi Hambling join writer and art critic Louisa Buck to discuss their extraordinary careers, their inspiration and motivations and the making of the BIG WOMEN exhibition.
Read moreCourses, Clubs & Classes
S&B Sunday Sessions
2 July - 3 September 2023
Multiple times available
Join the S&B ladies for a fun and relaxed Sunday as we host 2 different seasonal themed creative sessions for people aged 14+ of all abilities.
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Take a look at our online shop
Featuring a range of design-led products and books 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.
Shop online

Hold your event at 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.
Hire Our SpacesMake the most of your visit
Latest news
BIG WOMEN take to the street!
26 April 2023
During March and April, thanks to the generous support of our BIG WOMEN Media Partner BUILDHOLLYWOOD, we were thrilled to bring BIG WOMEN, Firstsite’s current exhibition celebrating the achievements of women in art, to the streets.
Read more