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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.

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...

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…

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.

Our January cover artist Paula Reid talks creative community and her love of Brutalism

This month’s cover artist Paula Reid tells us about her inspirations, projects and love of Brutalism…

Our December cover artist Marcus Gilmore talks inspirations and staying creative

This month’s cover artist, Beeston-based Marcus Gilmore talks about his mythic and fantastical inspirations as an illustrator and printmaker, staying creative, and capturing the spirit of Christmas in this edition’s magical cover art...

Our July cover artist Moonbuns Collective talk inspirations and creative processes

We chat to the creators of this month’s cover art, the Moonbuns Collective…

We talk to Fast Forward, a creative learning outlet that teaches music as an alternative to traditional education

Fast Forward Direction Thru Music is helping transform the lives of students through the power of music. We spoke to founders Stevie Lee and his fellow musicians/co-founders, along with several students, to hear about their important work and the crowdfunder that hopes to help them train more students in music production skills.

Winners of Nottingham Young Creative Awards 2024 Announced

The winners of this year’s Young Creative Awards 2024 have been announced to the public during a live awards night at the Nottingham Playhouse...

How Do the Processes of Making Music and Art Differ From One Another? We Find Out From 5 Nottingham Creatives

Louis Cypher asks five different Nottingham creatives how the need to make money affects their art, what the differences are in their creative processes, and whether they prefer one over the other...

Young Creative Award Entries Are Now Open for 2024

The Young Creative Awards, an annual competition for young creatives living, working or studying in and around Nottingham, has returned for its sixteenth year, with entries now open...