Firstsite

About the museum

Firstsite began in 1993 as the Colchester and District Visual Arts Trust, set up to build a new gallery in Colchester and to run a programme from the 18th-century Minories building. It took the name Firstsite in 1995, and in 1996 it became the first visual arts organisation to dedicate an entire gallery to schools' art.

By the early 2000s the organisation had outgrown the Minories. A partnership of Arts Council England, Colchester Borough Council, Essex County Council, the East of England Development Agency and the University of Essex agreed in 2003 to build a new centre for the visual arts as part of a creative quarter east of the town centre. The purpose-built gallery was designed by the Uruguayan architect Rafael Vinoly after an international competition. Its low, curved, gold-clad form wraps around the historic D-shaped garden of East Hill House in Lewis Gardens.

Firstsite moved into the new building in September 2011. It has shown work by artists such as Gillian Wearing, Grayson Perry, Andy Warhol, Lubaina Himid and Michael Landy, and welcomed its millionth visitor in 2019. It runs changing exhibitions, a cinema, learning programmes for schools and families and community projects, and was an Arts Council Collection National Partner from 2019.

Highlights

• Landmark golden crescent building by Rafael Vinoly
• Free changing exhibitions of contemporary art
• 180-seat cinema with captioned and autism-friendly screenings
• Learning programme for schools, families and young people
• Berryfield Cafe and a shop with art and design products

Founded

1993

Operated by

Firstsite (registered charity)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Entry to the exhibitions is always free. Tickets are needed only for cinema screenings and some events, with concessions for seniors (60+), students, armed forces, people receiving Universal Credit, disabled people, and under-18s, and free entry to morning and afternoon family screenings for babies under 18 months. Mosaic members get free film screenings and discounts.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The building is at street level with step-free, level access throughout. A wheelchair can be borrowed on a first come, first served basis, and portable seating is available in the galleries. The cinema has two wheelchair spaces, and hearing loops are in the cinema, meeting rooms and learning spaces. There are three accessible toilets, and a braille map of the building and a downloadable Social Story for visitors who may find a visit stressful. Four accessible parking spaces beside the main entrance cannot be reached via Lewis Gardens; a drop-off point there allows cars to stop for up to five minutes. Assistance dogs are welcome.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Baby changing facilities

Families can drop in from 10am to 5pm, and the learning programme includes a parent and toddler art club and sessions from toddlers to young teenagers. During school holidays Firstsite offers free art and movement activities and low-cost meals. The cinema holds family films and parent and baby screenings. There are two baby changing units, in the accessible toilets.

Getting there & parking

The gallery is in Lewis Gardens off the High Street and is reached on foot via a walkway off Queen Street by the Curzon cinema or via Lewis Gardens. Cycle racks are outside. Its what3words address is life.spins.cracks.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Coat check

Berryfield Cafe at the back of the building is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm (hot food 10am to 4pm), and the Foyer Cafe by the entrance opens for selected events. Food and drink are not allowed in the galleries. A free cloakroom at the front desk takes coats and luggage, with donations welcome. The shop sells products relating to contemporary art, design and culture.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

The 180-seat tiered cinema, meeting rooms, studios, foyer, Mosaic space, cafe and garden lawns can be hired for conferences, events, private celebrations and commercial filming and photography.

Plan your visit