Arts Collective

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Arts Collective

Artist-led contemporary art organisation
Exhibitions • Studios • Public programmes
Northampton | Opening Soon Artist-led is a structural commitment.

Arts Collective is a contemporary art organisation rooted in Northampton and shaped by artists. Our mission is to support artists at every stage of their careers and to provide free public access to contemporary art. We place artistic practice at the centre of civic life, recognising contemporary art as a vital form of cultural infrastructure shaping public space materially, socially, and politically. Our work spans exhibitions, commissions, archives, studios, residencies, performance, digital platforms, learning activities, and food-led gatherings. We are research-driven and built on long-term relationships. We prioritise sustained engagement and shared authorship, creating stable conditions for artists to develop their practice

The reopening of 24 Guildhall Road marks a new chapter. For the first time, production, exhibition, learning, studios, and community space are brought together within a single institution. This integration enables artistic practice to move from early research through to public presentation and lasting civic impact. Governance, programming, and institutional direction are organised around the long-term sustainability of artistic practice

At 24 Guildhall Road, Arts Collective operates as a civic institution, strengthening cultural life, supporting local talent, and contributing to Northampton’s long-term vitality.

10/10/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate our extraordinary new exhibition FIELD by Mark Wallinger at Arts Collective. Such a great turnout, with so much warmth and conversation throughout the galleries and courtyard.

The evening continued around the table with a delicious Climate Kitchen dinner by Barney Pau of The Gramounce. Responding to the themes of FIELD through food, it was a beautiful way to round off the celebrations.

A huge thank you to Mark, Barney, the Arts Collective team, our volunteers and everyone who helped bring the evening together.

FIELD is now open, free to visit and welcometo all. We look forward to seeing you in the galleries!

Louisa Buck has written about Wallinger’s exhibitions in Northampton and London in The Art Newspaper , while the companion exhibition, Circling the Square at Paul Stolper Gallery, was selected by Jonathan Jones for The Guardian weekly exhibition recommendations. Find both articles via the link in our bio

24/09/2026

We’re very excited to announce Mark Wallinger: Field — opening at Arts Collective this October.

One of the UK’s leading contemporary artists, represented Great Britain at the Venice Biennale in 2001 and won the Turner Prize in 2007. His work spans painting, sculpture, film, performance and major public commissions, and is held in collections including Tate, MoMA and Centre Pompidou.

For Field, Wallinger brings together new and recent works across film, painting, sculpture and installation, exploring scale, number and perception — the systems we construct to make sense of the world around us. At Arts Collective Mark has created a new site-responsive realisation of 'The Other Wall' that was originally developed for Wallinger's 2012 exhibition SITE at BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, extending through the architecture and historic courtyard of Arts Collective.

MARK WALLINGER: FIELD
Curated by Emer Grant

Join us for the opening
Wednesday 7 October, 6–8pm

8 October 2026–23 January 2027
Arts Collective, Northampton

Field is proudly supported by the Henry Moore Foundation

23/09/2026

INTRODUCING MOLLY TOMLINSON our PDRA (Professional Development Residency Award) artist, in partnernship with The University of Northampton

Residency Showcase Evening: Thursday 24th Sept, 6 PM – 8 PM

Following her two-week residency at Arts Collective, Molly presents a new, intimate body of work comprising three smaller-scale studies. Titled 'Amy', 'Madeliene', and 'Molly', these pieces introduce flesh into soft, blurred fabric compositions probing the sharp tension between intimacy and confrontation. The series is accompanied by a new body of poetry.

Grounded in lived experience, boldly explores sexuality, identity, and intimacy. Through a critical feminist lens, she amplifies femininity to subvert the politics of viewing using paint as a tool to reclaim the female body from the traditional male gaze.

Molly Tomlinson (b. 2004, Castleford, West Yorkshire), is a painter living and working in Northamptonshire. She is the most recent recipient of the Arts Collective Prize judged by ) and residency. Tomlinson studied Fine Art Foundation Degree at Pontefract New College, awarded Distinction, before studying BA Fine Art at the University of Northampton. Having exhibited virtually in Behind the Artist, she has recently been shortlisted for the prestigious 2026 Freelands Painting Prize.

This residency is presented in partnership with the . Final-year students are also offered the opportunity to take up a residency with a materials budget and the professional studio visits each year.

Visit the residency showcase evening: Wednesday 23 Sept, 6 PM – 8 PM

Residency Dates: 7 Sept – Saturday 26 Sept 11 AM – 5 PM daily
Arts Collective Project Space @ 24 Guildhall Road

Free entry

18/09/2026

Northamptonshire and Rutland Open Studios x Heritage Open Days now on .

Everyday Highlights (Drop-in)

• Behind-the-Scenes Tours: Explore the iconic building

• Studio 18 Heritage Display: Interactive history exhibits

• Resident Open Studios: Self-guided artist studio map

• Northamptonshire’s Black History Archive: With Weekes Baptiste

Saturday 19/8 Exclusive

• Hands-on Heritage: Collaborative activities

• Make Your Mark: Crafts with authentic building materials

• Climate Kitchen (12–4 PM): Edible Wall & hydroponic tastings

• Artist Talk (2–3 PM): Gill Elsbury-Clark on art & remembrance

Friday 18th - Saturday 19th 11am - 5pm

.elsburyclarkart

Images
Tigris Taeed Studio
Studioelsburyclarkart
24 Guildhall Road Then
24 Guildhall Road Now
Northamptonshire Black History Association Archive

07/08/2026

Temporary Visitor Information

Following the close of our inaugural exhibition, we have temporarily suspended public access to our exhibition spaces while essential maintenance and statutory safety works are completed.

We look forward to welcoming the public back from 19 August.

Koka Matcha remains open.

Artist Studios & The Northampton Rooms continue to operate as normal.

Open Archive Studio visits can be arranged by contacting [email protected].

Visitors accessing these services should use the lower entrance.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

24/07/2026

💚🍵🖌️ Join us this Saturday for our first Matcha Jam in collaboration with

A day of making, conversation and creativity.

Drop in anytime between 11am–4pm and create your own artwork inspired by the rituals, colours and culture of matcha. Once you've finished, your work will become part of a growing exhibition created throughout the day.

Free to attend, with all materials and inspiration provided.

🍵 Matcha curious? Join our Matcha expert at 11:15am for an introduction to matcha, its history and traditions, before spending the day making alongside others.

Whether you're an artist, a first-time maker, or simply curious, everyone is welcome.

Free • Drop-in • No booking required

💚🍵🖌️

19/07/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us yesterday for such a wonderful afternoon of conversation, reflection and looking.

The Restless Image: What is Seen and What is Felt brought together a fantastic audience to explore the work of Rose Finn-Kelcey through a rich and thought-provoking conversation led by and . It was a privilege to spend time with these remarkable works alongside two brilliant voices whose insights opened up new ways of seeing the exhibition.

A huge thank you to Amy and Andrée for their generosity, knowledge and inspiring discussion, and to everyone who came along and contributed to such an engaged and welcoming atmosphere.

Our thanks also to for her continued support of the exhibition and the legacy of 's extraordinary practice, and to and Caroline Grayson for supporting loans.

If you haven't yet visited Rose Finn-Kelcey: House Rules, there's still time—but not much. The exhibition closes on 1st August, so make sure you experience this before it ends. The wonderful pocketbook 'Writings on Rose Finn-Kelcey's The Restless Image', produced by the Estate of Rose Finn-Kelcey, is also available to buy at Arts Collective, with all proceeds supporting the ongoing work and legacy of Rose.

We look forward to welcoming you back to Arts Collective very soon.

17/07/2026

Come join us for a day of art, film, football and conversation at Arts Collective.

⚽ THE CLUBHOUSE presents: For the Love of the Beautiful Game

Curated by Northampton-based artist and writer Amar Shah (.design), this two-day event celebrates football through collecting, memory and storytelling. Explore Amar's extraordinary personal archive, including a selection of his signed FIFA World Cup match balls featured in his recent book, Looking for Legends.

We're also delighted to screen the award-winning short film Maradona's Legs, directed by and produced by and .

🎨 Artist Talk: Amy Tobin on Rose Finn-Kelcey: House Rules

At 2pm, join curator and writer Amy Tobin for a special talk exploring the work and legacy of Rose Finn-Kelcey, presented as part of our current exhibition House Rules. The afternoon includes a curator-led introduction to the exhibition and a conversation exploring Finn-Kelcey's playful, political and pioneering practice.

📍 Arts Collective, 24 Guildhall Road, Northampton
🎟️ Both events are free and everyone is welcome.

Come for one event—or stay for both.

12/07/2026

Join us on Saturday, July 18, 2pm - 4pm for ‘The Restless Image: What is Seen and What is Felt’.

Across the afternoon, the work and legacy of Rose Finn-Kelcey will be explored through a curator's tour, a lecture by Amy Tobin, and an in-conversation with Andree Cooke to celebrate the recent publication 'Writings on Rose Finn-Kelcey's The Restless Image' produced by the Estate of Rose Finn-Kelcey.

Presented in dialogue with House Rules, Arts Collective's exhibition of Rose Finn-Kelcey's work in her birthplace of Northampton, the event expands these ideas into wider discussions of architecture, institutions, public space and conceptual art.

This event forms part of Rose Finn-Kelcey: House Rules, on view at Arts Collective until 1 August 2026.

The event is free and open to all, but please book a space early through the Eventbrite linked in our bio to avoid disappointment.

Amy Tobin Bio

Amy Tobin is Professor of Modern and Contemporary Art at the University of Cambridge, Curator of Contemporary Programmes at Kettle's Yard and Fellow of Newnham College. Her acclaimed book Women Artists Together: Art in the Age of Women's Liberation was published by Yale University Press in 2023. She has written extensively on feminist art history and contemporary art, and contributes the lead essay to the new publication The Restless Image.

Andree Cooke Bio
Andree Cooke is a curator, commissioner and writer whose career spans more than three decades across contemporary art, design and fashion. Since 2014, she is the executor of the Estate of Rose Finn-Kelcey, securing the acquisition of the artist's archive by Tate and supporting major exhibitions including Life, Belief and Beyond at Modern Art Oxford. She recently edited and produced The Restless Image, the first publication in a new series dedicated to key works by Rose Finn-Kelcey.

Image Credit: Rose Finn-Kelcey 'House Rules' Exhibition @ Arts Collective 2026, photographed by Mill

11/07/2026

What do you want to have achieved in 50 years time?

Join us at 24 Guildhall Rd on Wednesday 15 July, 6PM - 8PM for a thought-provoking session with contemporary artist-curator, Dinosaur Kilby!

Let's dive deep into your dreams and goals — where do you see yourself 50 years from now? It’s all about reflecting on your legacy and the impact you want to leave. Come ready to chat, laugh, and get inspired!

Come down to hang out with Dinosaur Kilby and share your wildest hopes for the next 50 years!

Dinosaur Kilby is an Artist-Curator based in Birmingham, UK. He currently works at Wolverhampton Art Gallery as a Creative Producer. Between 2021-23 he completed an Artist-Curator Traineeship at Eastside Projects. He set up and ran Prayer Room between 2023-2025. Dinosaur is currently working on free house, an artist studio complex in Digbeth, Birmingham.

Recent projects include ‘Making Space 3.0’ at Wolverhampton Art Gallery, ‘Peasants Revolt Now!’ at Prayer Room, ‘Are the Stones Standing Still’ at Staffordshire St. and ‘If It Thunders on All Fool’s Day’ at Eastside Projects.

Please book a space through the eventbrite linked in our bio.

image credit:

Address

24 Guildhall Road, Block D
Northampton
NN11EW

Website

http://www.artscollectivenorthampton.org/

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