Firstsite Colchester

23/06/2026

Join the team at Firstsite and play a key role in keeping our public spaces running smoothly day-to-day as a Duty Manger!

This part-time, permanent role (18 hours per week) is at the heart of our visitor experience - supporting exhibitions, cinema screenings, events, and front-of-house operations, while helping ensure our building runs safely and efficiently.

We’re looking for someone with strong customer service skills, a practical, hands-on approach, and a passion for working with people from all backgrounds.

📩 To apply, send your CV + covering letter to [email protected] plus a completed Equity & Diversity Monitoring Form.

⏰ Deadline: 9am, Fri 26 Jun 2026

Full job description available here: firstsite.uk/jobs/duty-manager-casual-role/

22/06/2026

Here’s a look at what’s on at Firstsite Cinema this week 🍿🌈
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Don’t miss Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu on the big screen, alongside the highly anticipated new releases Erupcja, starring Charli XCX, and The Eagles of the Republic.
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In keeping with this month’s celebrations of LGBTQ+ stories and communities 🌈, we’re showcasing powerful films including Fairyland, a deeply personal exploration of family, identity, and growing up with a gay father during the AIDS crisis, alongside the stunning 4K re-issue of Portrait of a Lady on Fire, one of contemporary cinema’s most acclaimed q***r love stories. It’s also a fitting way to look ahead to Colchester Pride at Firstsite this August.
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We’re also delighted to present National Theatre Live: Les Liaisons Dangereuses, bringing the intrigue, passion, and spectacle of world-class theatre direct to the cinema screen.
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As always, we continue to offer accessible screenings, creating a relaxed and welcoming cinema experience for everyone.
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To view all films and book tickets, visit our website via the link below 🎟️
https://vist.ly/58mug

21/06/2026

Forgot Father's Day until this morning? 👀

Don't panic - we've got you covered!

Instead of another pair of socks, why not give Dad something he'll actually remember? The best gift isn't always something you can wrap - it's spending time together.

Join us for Boozy Brushes: Paint Your Pal, where you'll paint each other's portraits in a relaxed, laughter-filled evening of creativity.

Expect plenty of giggles, a guided portrait tutorial from artist and drag performer .hart_x , and fabulous drag entertainment throughout the night. No experience needed - just bring your favourite person and an open mind!

Create memories, share a few laughs, and see each other in a whole new light. And don't worry... Dad never needs to know you left his gift until the last minute 😉

🎨 Boozy Brushes: Paint Your Pal
📍 Firstsite
🕖 Sat 27 Jun, 7:30pm

Book now via the link below and make Father's Day one to remember.
https://vist.ly/58heu

19/06/2026

⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Something to behold... a triumph." - The Independent

Why travel to London when world-class theatre can come to you?

Experience the glamour, scandal and intrigue of 18th-century France with National Theatre Live: Les Liaisons Dangereuses, captured live from the National Theatre and presented on the big screen right here in Colchester.

BAFTA Award-winner Lesley Manville (Phantom Thread) joins Aidan Turner (Rivals) in Marianne Elliott's striking new staging of Christopher Hampton's celebrated adaptation of the classic novel. A dazzling tale of seduction, manipulation and revenge, this acclaimed production brings all the spectacle of the London stage closer to home.

✨ We're also delighted to be screening a captioned performance, making this a fantastic opportunity for theatre lovers who benefit from on-screen dialogue and accessibility support. Enjoy every line, every twist and every unforgettable performance from the comfort of your local cinema.

🎭 The stage is closer than you think. Get showtimes and tickets to our cinema via the link in our bio!

18/06/2026

Ekow Eshun and Godfried Donkor: In Conversation🥊

Join writer, curator and broadcaster Ekow Eshun in conversation with visual artist Godfried Donkor as they explore the ideas, influences and inspiration behind our ‘Godfried Donkor: It’s a Numbers Game’ exhibtion.

In this special live conversation, Eshun and Donkor will discuss Donkor’s practice, and how art can challenge accepted histories, reveal unexpected connections and invite us to see the past not as fixed, but as something continually reinterpreted through the present.

📅 Thu 16 Jul
🕡 6:30pm
🎟️ From £5 | firstsite.uk/event/ekow-eshun-and-godfried-donkor-in-conversation/

📸 1. Godfried Donkor, Gallery 1957 2. Ekow Eshun, Photography by Zeinab Batchelor

17/06/2026

FEW TICKETS LEFT to our Exploring Watercolour with Simon Carter workshops this Saturday!

Sat 20 Jun, 10am-4pm | From £40 firstsite.uk/event/exploring-watercolour-with-simon-carter/

Spend a relaxing and creative day in our studio exploring the traditional art of watercolour with internationally exhibited contemporary artist Simon Carter in this experimental and unconventional workshop.

We'll leave with a collection of observational drawings and several watercolour collages on paper in varying sizes to brighten up your home or share with friends!

Suitable for ages 16+ and all abilities!

16/06/2026

Don't miss the Godfried Donkor: It’s a Numbers Game exhibition - OPEN NOW! 🥊

Discover large-scale collages, paintings, textiles and installation, including the boxing ring gallery, capturing the sounds and atmosphere of the sport.

Also in July, join writer, curator and broadcaster Ekow Eshun in conversation with Godfried Donkor as they explore the ideas, influences and inspiration behind the show.

For more details & tickets, visit firstsite.uk/event/ekow-eshun-and-godfried-donkor-in-conversation/

16/06/2026

15/06/2026

What’s showing this week at Firstsite Cinema 🎭🍿

Experience National Theatre Live: The Pl***oy of the Western World in a special captioned screening, making this celebrated production even more accessible to audiences.
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Discover thought-provoking storytelling with Our Land and The Christophers, two distinctive films exploring community, identity, and the people who shape the world around us.
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Delve into the darker side of cinema with Brian De Palma's Obsession, a cult psychological thriller beloved by horror fans, alongside the eerie and atmospheric Hokum.
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Families can enjoy Tom and Jerry: Forbidden Compass and The Sheep Detectives, packed with fun, adventure, and plenty of entertainment for younger audiences.
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As always, we continue to offer accessible screenings, creating a relaxed and welcoming cinema experience for everyone.
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To view all films and book tickets, visit our website via the link below 🎟️
https://vist.ly/57sbe

13/06/2026

NOW OPEN | 🪷 Arpita Shah: Nalini

Discover 26 photographic works displayed alongside archival family photographs and personal objects, like dried flowers and traditional saris.

The exhibition takes its name from Arpita’s grandmother, Nalini, a word that means ‘lotus’ in Sanskrit.

Floral motifs are a recurrent feature in Arpita’s work and this iconic plant symbolises purity, femininity, and fertility in Hindu culture.

Don't miss this intimate summer show that explores all seasons of life!

📍 On display now until Sun 4 Oct 2026