On this page dedicated to the First Look Virtual Event taking place on 15 May, you’ll find a snapshot of the cultural opportunities available to you when you study at University of Southampton.
Got a question? Join us at the Exploring Your New Home: Discovering Our Cities and Campuses session at 12pm to hear from us, student ambassadors, and to ask us more.
Footage taken prior to Covid-19
Welcome to Southampton, your Home of Creativity.
Arts, culture and creativity are at the heart of the University of Southampton experience, whether in supporting your studies or offering a range of activities to enjoy in your down time, with world-renowned music and arts venues found alongside numerous creative communities.
Creativity and the arts are for everyone, whatever your chosen subject area or whatever your prior experience, and we are here to show you how connecting with culture can help you thrive during your time at University.
Discover opportunities to relax, explore, meet with friends, take part, showcase and expand your skills with Arts at University of Southampton: Home of Creativity.
Relax
Taking time-out from your studies is important for your wellbeing. Getting creative or absorbing yourself in the arts can be a great way to wind down and escape the everyday. Immerse yourself in sound with free student ticket schemes at Turner Sims, our renowned concert hall at Highfield campus. While away an hour or two at John Hansard Gallery with free, ground-breaking exhibitions. Be entertained by rip-roaring student theatre productions at The Annex Theatre. There are activities for everyone so come join us, sit back and relax.
Explore
Discover cutting-edge artistic ideas, encounter new and diverse perspectives and broaden your cultural horizons. Whatever your subject, creativity and the arts are the perfect complement to your studies, providing you with the opportunity to uncover new experiences. See the latest in innovative design trends at the Winchester School of Art Degree Shows, watch musicians from around the world dazzle on stage at Turner Sims, or open your mind at an experimental poetry evening.
Meet with Friends
Whether you are looking to meet new people or spend time with old friends, sharing cultural experiences and getting creative with fellow students can be a great way to connect and develop lasting friendships. You could join a creative community in one of the Student Union’s creative clubs and societies or take advantage of the remarkable art on offer within the University itself. Free student ticket schemes can unlock spellbinding musical evenings for you and your friends with Turner Sims, or free entry to John Hansard Gallery in the city centre provides a great day out.
Take Part
University is a great time for trying out new things and finding your passion, so get hands-on, experiment and have a go. The University’s arts venues regularly run workshops, drop-in activities and taster sessions open for all to enjoy. If you’re itching to get creative, why not take your housemates along to the free Space to Create sessions regularly held at John Hansard Gallery in the heart of Southampton’s Cultural Quarter? How about showing off your moves with a student dance society? If you play an instrument or like to sing, join in with SUSU’s music societies and you might even find yourself performing on stage at Turner Sims before too long.
Showcase
Show off your artistic talents and take centre stage here at Southampton. With opportunities to work with our professional arts venues alongside over 50 creative student societies spanning performing arts, visual art, music, media and film, there are endless possibilities for showcasing your abilities. Be the star of a sell-out musical production with musical theatre society Showstoppers, audition with Southampton University Symphony Orchestra and be part of a 100 year history, or build your confidence and join a community choir with University of Southampton Voices.
Expand Your Skills
Kick start your career with creative work experience and skills development with the University’s Arts team. Join our growing community of writers and share your ideas, reviews and opinion pieces on our Arts Blog. Sign up to our newsletter to hear about opportunities with us, such as becoming a student Arts Ambassador and working to share the story of Southampton’s brilliant, dynamic and diverse cultural scene. Turner Sims and John Hansard Gallery also provide opportunities for Southampton students to gain cultural work experience at their world-renowned venues, so stay tuned to their newsletters for the latest opportunities.
Did you know… ?
In 2021, the City of Southampton is bidding for UK City of Culture 2025.
- University of Southampton is proud to be a partner for Southampton’s UK City of Culture bid
- It is an exciting time to be in Southampton with lots of activity taking place as part of the city’s journey to bid for this prestigious title
- If arts, culture and creativity are for you, come and join us and be part of this unique experience
John Hansard Gallery: Contemporary Visual Art in Southampton’s Cultural Quarter
John Hansard Gallery is part of the University of Southampton and one of the UK’s leading contemporary art galleries, presenting art by outstanding artists from across the world.
The gallery plays a dynamic role in the cultural life of the University, the city and the region, with free entry to exhibitions, events, screenings, workshops, gigs and more. There is always something going on at John Hansard Gallery!
Alongside neighbours City Eye, Southampton City Art Gallery, Solent Showcase, SeaCity Museum, Mayflower Theatre and O2 Guildhall, the gallery is part of Southampton’s vibrant Cultural Quarter, packed full of live music venues, theatres, galleries, museums, bars, cafes and restaurants. All this just a walk or bus ride away from our campuses, and in the same neighbourhood as much of our city centre student accommodation.
John Hansard Gallery compliments your University studies by providing you with the opportunity to explore cutting-edge creative ideas and push the boundaries of your understanding.
When you start at Southampton, a visit to John Hansard Gallery should be at the top of your to-do list. Many members of the gallery team are University of Southampton alumni, and they are all University of Southampton staff. The team look forward to welcoming you and supporting you on your Southampton journey!
Learn more on the John Hansard Gallery website.
📣 Hear from Christopher Amedu, Law Graduate and former Marketing Intern at John Hansard Gallery…
“My aspiration has been to spread increased awareness and knowledge of activity at John Hansard Gallery to new audiences. I’ve always loved art and music; I am a pianist, music producer and songwriter. During my Law degree, after revision, I would often go to the music rooms and make songs on Logic Pro X – sometimes till late in the evening.”
Turner Sims: Inspiring Live Music on Campus
Turner Sims is part of the University of Southampton and one of the UK’s leading live music venues.
Turner Sims is situated on the University’s Highfield Campus. The location of the concert hall in the middle of campus allows students to relax with inspiring music as part of their daily routine, accessing world-class musicians through Turner Sims’ free ticket schemes and discounted student rates.
Turner Sims welcomes renowned artists such as Portico Quartet, Sean Shibe, Jess Gillam, SEED Ensemble and Chiaroscuo Quartet as part of their promoted concert season, and you can expect to discover everything from New York jazz to virtuoso classical musicians, from traditional folk bands to Malian rock guitarists, as well as collaborations with University departments on regular events.
If you’re hoping to study with the University’s Music department, you will be spending a lot of time at Turner Sims, making the most of the concert hall’s incredible acoustics. Turner Sims works hand-in-hand with the Music department and, as such, new Music students can look forward to regular opportunities for rehearsal and performance on the concert hall’s hallowed stage.
If you’re interested in a cultural career, Turner Sims offers opportunities to get hands-on with work experience in their renowned live music venue. Sign up to the Turner Sims mailing list and hear about opportunities when they are announced.
Discover more on the Turner Sims website.
📣 Hear from Rosie Sewell, Music Student and former Concert Promotions Intern at Turner Sims…
“I’ve had a really fantastic year as Concert Promotions Intern at Turner Sims! I have loved working at the concert hall, and will very much miss going in and working on programmes and Instagram every week. It has been a really formative part of my university experience”
Student Arts Ambassadors
Our student Arts Ambassadors work with us and our city-wide partners to share the story of Southampton’s brilliant, dynamic and diverse cultural scene to wide audiences.
They work editorially, devising and delivering written and visual content distributed through social media, blogs and associated channels. They also play an active role at public-facing events, such as press nights, private views and student facing activity.
📣 Hear from Nicole Wong, former Arts Ambassador and Geography Graduate, who went on to study MA Fashion Buying and Marketing…
“Becoming an Arts Ambassador has given me the opportunity to network with arts professionals and people in this field. I attended regular meetings and events where I gained new connections and learned how to communicate in a professional environment. I was formally introduced to the CEO of Arts Council England, Darren Henley, where we had an hour meeting discussing the future of arts for young people and the Arts Council’s 10 year strategy. And YES, my role also gave me access to attend special events such as gallery launches with VIPs!”
Arts and Culture across the cities of Southampton and Winchester
Whether you’re looking to indulge an interest, discover exciting experiences, or meet new people, Southampton and Winchester are packed with arts and culture activity all year-round with everything from visual arts, design and film, to performing arts and live music.
For a full summary of what’s on offer, both at the University and in the area, explore our leaflet below:
Please note that this leaflet was printed in 2019 and a number of details have changed.
Frequently Asked Questions
💬 I don’t study art … is there something for me too?
Arts and culture are for everyone, whatever your chosen area of study. Do you enjoy reading? Watching films? Listening to music? Perhaps you love going to the theatre to see blockbuster musicals?
Your studies are important, but so is your downtime. We know that arts and culture are wonderful for your health and wellbeing, so whether you want to pursue a hobby or simply escape the real world for a while, Arts at University of Southampton has something for you.
💬 I play a musical instrument, dance and act! How can I get involved?
There are over 40 performing arts societies to get involved in as a University of Southampton student. For musicians there is an array of orchestras, choirs and jazz bands to take part in, and you do not have to be a Music student to get involved. For actors and performers there is the Theatre Group society and Showstoppers, a musical theatre society (who also require musicians). For dancers there are a range of dedicated societies, covering everything from classical ballet to street dance.
💬 Is it expensive to go to John Hansard Gallery and Turner Sims?
Entrance to John Hansard Gallery’s exhibitions is always free. Turner Sims offers a range of student ticket schemes, with free or discounted tickets on offer to University of Southampton students.
💬 Can I work at John Hansard Gallery or Turner Sims?
John Hansard Gallery, Turner Sims and the wider Arts team can help you develop your cultural career aspirations with creative work experience for University of Southampton students. Sign-up to our mailing list for details of opportunities when they are advertised.
Paid jobs in our venues are always publicly advertised.
💬 What is an Arts Ambassador?
University of Southampton Arts Ambassadors are students tasked with the enviable job of getting involved with lots of art and culture!
We offer students the chance to work with arts professionals across the University and the cities of Southampton and Winchester, get involved with a variety of exciting events and activities and develop a set of valuable skills whilst engaging with leading arts venues and promoting the incredible arts offer to other students.
💬 Can students write articles for the Arts Blog?
Yes. Interested students can join a growing community of contributors sharing their thoughts and insights on our Arts Blog. Get behind the scenes of concerts, events and workshops and gain industry insights from arts professionals and artists. All students have to do is submit a blog proposal to us for approval.
💬 What else is there to do in Southampton and Winchester?
Take a look at our Arts at University of Southampton leaflet for a near-comprehensive summary of all that is on offer for arts lovers and culture buffs in the Southampton and Winchester areas.
For a broader range of activities, check out the Visit Southampton and Visit Winchester websites.
If you have any questions, please do get in touch:
arts@soton.ac.uk
Arts at University of Southampton:
Mailing List | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
John Hansard Gallery:
Mailing List | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
Turner Sims:
Mailing List | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
