Activities and events

The Colleges Festival of Arts

Monday 16 November 2026 10am - Saturday 21 November 2026 9.30pm

Organiser: Campus East Colleges
Open to: Everyone

Festival of Arts is a week-long celebration of university talent. We have a jam-packed programme, so whether you have an existing passion or want to try something new, you are invited to get involved and enjoy all that York’s arts scene has to offer. All staff and students are welcome and we’d love to see you there!

Weeklong Events: Want the chance to win £100 worth of prizes? We’re inviting all students and staff to enter our rubber duck decorating competition. Whether you’re entering as an individual, flat, society, or team, come to James Lodge or Goodricke Nucleus on Monday 16th from 10-12am. Visit the Langwith Nucleus to see Out of Office, a new installation reflecting on change, history, and the evolving face of the Colleges at York. York Art Gallery are offering all UoY students £5 entry to their latest exhibition, between the 16th and 20th November. Valid UoY ID is required!

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Festival of Arts - The Encyclopedia Ball

Monday 16 November 2026 10am - 12pm

Organiser: Campus East Colleges
Open to: Everyone

Join staff member Matthew Herring in "Encyclopaedia Ball" an interactive project to convert encyclopaedias into a solid paper mache ball

Since 2018, artist and university staff member Matthew Herring has been engaged in Encyclopaedia Ball, a project to celebrate and reflect on knowledge by converting a set of 1950s encyclopaedias into a solid papier mache ball. At a weight of over 22kg, a girth of 1.2m and consisting of over 12,000 encyclopaedia pages, the Ball has recently reached ‘L’ for Langwith. To celebrate this, visitors are invited to encounter Encyclopaedia Ball in the flesh in the Langwith Basement to contribute their own encyclopaedia entries to The Ball. Add your entry to Encyclopaedia Ball and receive a hand-made thank you gift.

No reservation is required to attend this free event.

Our Festival of Arts events are open for all staff and students at the University of York to attend.

Location: The Basement, Langwith College (LTA/B/007)

Festival of Arts - Art, Nature and Mental Health Photography Talk

Monday 16 November 2026 11am - 12pm

Organiser: Campus East Colleges
Location: Anne Lister Hub (E Block) (Campus East)
Open to: Everyone

Join University photography Paul Shileds in Anne Lister College for his nature photography talk

As part of The Colleges Festival of Arts, photographyer Paul Shileds is giving a talk on the benefits of spending time in nature and why taking photographs both expands the time you spend outside and makes you appreciate the natural world arround you.

No reservation is required to attend this free event.

Our Festival of Arts events are open for all staff and students at the University of York to attend.

Location: The Hub, Anne Lister College (L/E/002)

Festival of Arts - Swing Dance Workshop

Monday 16 November 2026 3pm - 4pm

Organiser: Campus East Colleges
Location: David Kato Hub (E Block) (Campus East)
Open to: Everyone

As part of the Colleges Festival of Arts, join the Univerversity's Swing Dance Society in The David Kato Hub for a workshop where you will be introduced to a range of swing dances including Lindy Hop, Charleston, Solo Jazz, Blues, and more. All you need is comfy clothes, flat shoes (trainers are perfect), and a water bottle - see you all on the dancefloor! Our Festival of Arts events are open for all staff and students at the University of York to attend.

You must reserve your spot at this free event.

Our Festival of Arts events are open for all staff and students at the University of York to attend.

Location: The Hub, David Kato College (DK/E/002)

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Festival of Arts - Sculpture Workshop

Tuesday 17 November 2026 10am - 11.30am

Organiser: Campus East Colleges
Location: Constantine College (Campus East)
Open to: Everyone

Join one of our student artists in the Constantine College Common Rooms to learn how to sculpt

As part of The Colleges Festival of Arts, sculpture teacher and University of York student Miriam Brailsford is hosting a scultpure workshop in the Constantine College Common Rooms. Reserve your place to join the session and learn the basics of sculpture.

You must reserve your spot at this free event.

Our Festival of Arts events are open for all staff and students at the University of York to attend.

Location: The Studio and The Loft, Constantine College (COHE/N/103-104)

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Festival of Arts - Stained Glass Exhibition

Tuesday 17 November 2026 10am - 4pm

Organiser: Campus East Colleges
Location: GNU/009 Clarbour Room (Goodricke College)
Open to: Everyone

Join Robin Henderson from the History of Art Department in Goodricke College and explore some of the work students studying Stained Glass Conservation and Heritage Management get up to.

As part of the Festival of Arts, learn about stained glass conservation at the University of York with an exhibition of work by current and former students and some of the resources used by the department. Attend between 10 and 11:30 for our launch party with free food and drink!

No reservation is required to attend this free event.

Our Festival of Arts events are open for all staff and students at the University of York to attend.

Location: The Clarbour Room, Goodricke College (GNU/009)

Festival of Arts - Mascot Life Drawing

Tuesday 17 November 2026 2pm - 4pm

Organiser: Campus East Colleges
Location: David Kato Hub (E Block) (Campus East)
Open to: Everyone

Join local artist and tutor Rob Oldfield for a session drawing some of our Colleges most colourfut mascots

As part of the Colleges Festival of Arts, local artist and art tutor Rob Oldfield for a still life drawing session with a difference in the David Kato Hub. Whether you are a regular participant, would like to hone your skills, or try life drawing for the first time this session led by Rob is a fun take involving some of the Colleges most loved mascots. Sign up to reserve your spot.

You must reserve your spot at this free event.

Our Festival of Arts events are open for all staff and students at the University of York to attend.

Location: The Hub, David Kato College (DK/E/002)

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Festival of Arts - Creative Writing Workshop

Thursday 19 November 2026 10am - 12pm

Organiser: Campus East Colleges
Location: Anne Lister Hub (E Block) (Campus East)
Open to: Everyone

Join PhD students Caitlin Fisher and Brianna Frentzko for a Creative Writing workshop at the Anne Lister Hub. All you need is your preferred writing equipment and your best ideas!

Caitlin is a Creative Writing PhD student at the University of York, currently teaching on the university’s creative writing course. She has previously published in Flash Fiction Magazine, Twisted Ink Magazine, and The Boston Hassle.

Brianna is in the final year of her PhD in English & Related Literatures. She holds an MFA from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in Creative Writing Fiction and has taught creative writing, literature, and composition across four universities.

You must reserve your spot at this free event.

Our Festival of Arts events are open for all staff and students at the University of York to attend.

Location: The Hub, Anne Lister College (L/E/002)

Go to event

Festival of Arts - The Great Exhibition

Friday 20 November 2026 11am - 4pm

Organiser: Campus East Colleges
Location: RCH/001 Ron Cooke Hub Atrium (Ron Cooke Hub, Campus East)
Open to: Everyone

As part of the inaugural Festival of Arts, come to the Atrium in the Ron Cooke Hub for an exhibition to celebrate the art work that has been created throughout the festival and highlight some of the artistic talents of our students and staff! The winner of the duck decorating competition will also be announced at this event.

Festival of Arts - Open Mic Night

Saturday 21 November 2026 7pm - 9.30pm

Organiser: Campus East Colleges
Location: LCE/016 Langwith Glasshouse (Langwith College, Campus East)
Open to: Everyone

Celebrate the end of the Festival with the LCSA’s open mic night! Whether you’re a performer or just want to enjoy a drink and some music, finish the week in style!