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, 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.
Find out more
Browse our webpages here to discover more creative opportunities, check out the Turner Sims and John Hansard Gallery websites, follow us on social media and sign up to our mailing lists. Please feel free to get in touch with our team at arts@soton.ac.uk.