Firstsite is an award-winning public contemporary art gallery in Colchester, making and showcasing a diverse mix of the very best historic, modern and contemporary art from around the world – always for free, for everyone.

As a registered charity, Firstsite is committed to making art accessible to everyone, so we all can enjoy the benefits it brings. Working in partnership with diverse communities across Essex, they bring lots of different people together to enjoy art and culture, be creative and lead healthier and happier lives.

Designed by award-winning architect Rafael Viñoly, Firstsite’s spectacular crescent-shaped building offers a fun, inclusive and social space like no other. Open Tuesday to Sunday all year round, Firstsite features an exciting lineup of exhibitions, films, workshops and events to spark the imagination, alongside a café and shop.

Since opening in 2011, Firstsite has attracted over 1.5 million visitors and has established itself as a key cultural hub in the East of England, presenting ambitious work in a fun and welcoming environment to audiences in the East of England and beyond.

Firstsite’s varied and thought-provoking programme celebrates and promotes the unique power of art and creativity, directly involving the local community to create exceptional exhibitions, projects, commissions and events which tell the stories of our time, provoke meaningful conversations about society’s future and inspire imaginative responses to critical issues.

Firstsite’s varied and thought-provoking programme celebrates the unique transformative power of art and creativity. The team directly engages the local community to create exceptional exhibitions, projects, commissions, and events which tell the stories of our time. These initiatives encourage meaningful conversations about society’s future and inspire imaginative responses to critical issues.

The impact of Firstsite’s outstanding artistic programme, community engagement and charitable activities has been recognised and praised by leading voices in the sector and beyond, including the Art Fund which awarded Firstsite the prestigious ‘Art Fund Museum of the Year’ in 2021. And as a partner of Plus Tate, Firstsite also contributes to a network of arts organisations across the UK, increasing public access to the national collection of British and international modern and contemporary art.