ARCadia starts on Friday 16 September with several exhibitions and a special screening of Mars Attacks! including a discussion with researchers exploring the themes raised in the film, from Mars exploration to the cultural significance of the red planet. There will be free popcorn and refreshments on arrival.

Colleagues are warmly invited to come along to ARCadia and encouraged to bring along friends and families.

There are more than 85 events over the next two weeks, featuring brass bands, a retro video game arcade, comedy and drag shows, an outdoor ceilidh, art exhibits, a virtual reality celebration of Robert Burns, and much more.

Particular highlights of the festival include:

  • Doors Open Day weekend (Sat 17 & Sun 18 September) - two days of family-friendly activities, talks, music and more.

  • The ARC: Past, Present & Future (Sat 17 September) – what is the ARC, why was it built and what’s in it for me? An architect and researchers share their perspective with poetry from Tawona Sithole.

  • The Big Weekend (Fri 23 & Sat 24 September) with retro video games, storytelling, music, hands-on activities and more. Book tickets for Friday 23rd and book tickets for Saturday 24th.

  • COVID-19: A Community Conversation (Wed 28 September) – join us for a unique, immersive theatre experience, inspired by your stories of the pandemic. We’ll also be unveiling an exhibition of pandemic research, virtual reality viruses, remote-learning robots and a chance to get creative with ‘socially-distanced’ painting, courtesy of Boom Arts. The ARC will provide a dramatic backdrop for this original work, refreshments provided.

  • UofGEngage Forum housewarming (Thu 29 September) – grab a cuppa and meet colleagues from across the university who are interested in public and community engagement. With facilitation by theatre company Active Inquiry. Refreshments provided.

ARCadia Festival Manager Dr Zara Gladman said: “We have a fantastic programme of events taking place in the ARC over the next two weeks and we really want the whole community to get involved. It would be fantastic to see UofG colleagues supporting our first ever public festival in the ARC.”

To view the full ARCadia programme and book tickets, visit glasgow.ac.uk/arcadia

First published: 13 September 2022

<< 14 September 2022


ARCadia