About Us
Square 5 is the focus of arts on campus – it’s where the Lakeside
Theatre and University Gallery reside, along with the University's
Latin American Art Collection on display in the Albert Sloman
Library. Our diverse programme of exhibitions, performances, comedy
nights, films and lectures all make for an exciting contribution to
both campus and Colchester life - please come along and join us on
square 5!
Arts on 5 is run by a small but dedicated team who work closely
with both internationally renowned and emerging artists and
performers to bring together a thought-provoking and excellent
programme of arts events. We work with academics and encourage the
development of new plays, exhibitions and ideas in our spaces.
Students also make a huge impact on Arts on 5, regularly
contributing to our theatre and exhibition programme while also
bringing their enthusiasm to our comedy nights and in particular, to
our fast-growing reputation for bringing the best of Jazz on campus.
University Gallery
The University Gallery is one of the region’s leading galleries
of contemporary visual art. We show the work of internationally
renowned artists such as William Kentridge Fiona Banner and Jake &
Dinos Chapman, while also supporting emerging new talent. Proud of
its academic reputation, the gallery plays an important role in the
cultural life of both campus and Colchester, drawing a wide local,
national, and international audience to its programme of exhibitions
and events.
The University Gallery also works closely with students from MA
Gallery Studies & Critical Curating, showcasing their exhibitions in
the summer term.
Inspired by the gallery’s exhibition programme, our Events offer
powerful learning opportunities and a chance to discover more about
the arts. Artist’s talks, films and critical texts accompany all our
exhibitions. We also run an outreach programme of workshops and
talks that take place in schools, colleges and community centres.
Gallery Opening Hours
Monday – Friday 11am – 5pm, Saturday 12am – 4pm.
Contact
Telephone 01208 873261 / 873184 for further information, or e-mail
Jessica Kenny, Gallery Director, at
jess@essex.ac.uk.
Lakeside Theatre
The Lakeside presents fresh new work that frequently hovers on
the very edges of classification. Its international and culturally
diverse programme promotes theatre, dance, live art and music in
increasingly unexpected ways. It is our ambition to explore
and find work that will stir the emotions, be passionate,
mischievous and entertaining.
The Lakeside also works closely with the Centre for Theatre
Studies and forms the prime site for students' engagement with the
creation, viewing and critique of contemporary performance.
Our music programme aims to bring the best of British Jazz and
music from around the world onto campus. We are also immensely proud
of our Classical Musicians-in-Residence the Angell Trio, and are
pleased to announce that pianist John Law has agreed to become our
Jazz Musician-in-Residence.
With a developing reputation for film, we are currently working
with Signals Media Centre, the University Gallery and the Student
Union’s Art Film Society to bring highly entertaining and
thought-provoking cinema onto campus.
The Lakeside also supports community and education work, regularly hosting
writer’s workshops, showcasing local productions out of term-time and providing
a home for The Young Actors Company on Saturday mornings.
Box Office
Ticket Hotline 01206 573948 or visit
www.mercurytheatre.co.uk/arts.
Telephone 01208 873262 for further information or e-mail Pasco Kevlin, Theatre
Director at pkevlin@essex.ac.uk.
University Collection of Latin American Art
The University of Essex Collection of Latin American Art (UECLAA) is on
display in the Albert Sloman Library and in the grounds of Wivenhoe Park.
With approximately 600 works by more than 200 artists from 14 countries, it is
the largest public collection of its kind in Europe and is now available
digitally at www.ueclaa.org.
UECLAA regularly collaborates with the University Gallery and
academic departments and is an important part of the University's
partnership with the new contemporary arts venue firstsite:newsite (www.firstsite.uk.net),
due to open in Colchester in 2009.
Arts on 5 Strategic Aims
You might be interested to know more about our strategic aims by reading our
Vision for the Arts at Essex plan.
Tell us what you think
Please let us know what you think about Arts on 5 – send us you feedback via
arts@essex.ac.uk.
Other useful links