The event was organised by LU Arts, the extra-curricular arts programme at the University, which organises events and activities for students, staff and the local community.
During the evening there were performances from LSU Classical Strings Ensemble and Neil Budworth (Director of Health, Safety and Wellbeing) who has been taking singing lessons through the LU Arts scheme. One of LU Arts’ current arts workers, Evie Waters, created the place cards for the dinner and the table was decorated with a quote from creative writing scholar Alizée Cambier.
At Loughborough University we believe that culture and creativity should be an essential part of all our lives.
The new strategy has seven main goals:
- Nurture our students’ creativity through an accessible and high-quality programme that offers skills, knowledge and learning, and adds value to future employability.
- Amplify our research and public engagement through authentic collaborations between disciplines, activating interdisciplinary dialogues and making visible our outstanding research culture.
- Celebrate the diversity of our community, embed culture within our EDI objectives, and harness cultural activity to communicate positive messages about our inclusive campus.
- Campaign for improved campus arts facilities. Advocate for visible, accessible spaces that are equipped to support a creative campus.
- Champion the mental health and wellbeing benefits of culture and creativity, delivering meaningful programmes to support our staff and students.
- Enhance our campus environment with art and sculpture, deliver activity that contributes to its sustainability, and celebrates its rich heritage.
- Extend our activity beyond campus into Loughborough, developing adventurous new partnerships and contributing to the prosperity and wellbeing of our wider region.
Dean of the School of Design and Creative Arts and Chair of the University’s Arts Committee, Professor Cees de Bont, commented: “Huge numbers of staff and students are engaging with music, drama, performance, ceramics etc. We need to cherish these activities that are so important to personal development, wellbeing and recruitment.”
Nick Slater, Director of LU Arts added: “I hope that the strategy will highlight the important role arts and culture can play in achieving some of the University’s core ambitions as well as making a vital contribution to both the student and staff experience.”
A special video which summarises the strategy has been produced. Watch the video below: