We have been at the heart of creativity in Canterbury for over 50 years, offering a vibrant mix of live performances and film screenings to our community.

Gulbenkian is the University of Kent’s Arts Centre offering innovative, engaging and high quality arts activity for the public, staff and students. It provides a key role in delivering the University commitment to public engagement and has a particular focus on the creative empowerment of children and young people.

From the most committed fans of the arts, to friends enjoying a night out together, or families sharing live theatre for the first time, we welcome everyone.

At Gulbenkian you will discover some of UK’s most innovative and exciting performers, as well as established big names in theatre, dance, music and comedy, and an excellent family programme, including our annual family festival – bOing!

Supported by Arts Council England, we are a catalyst in developing and curating ideas, spaces and emerging talent. The empowerment of children and young people is at the core of our activity, through our popular Youth Theatre and ground breaking ART31 programme.

In addition to our own programme of events, we provide a stage for local school, student and community groups, who use our theatre, concert hall and cinema to showcase their own talents and bring their own audiences together.

We invite you to be part of the Gulbenkian community. Come and visit us, hang out in our Café, come to an event or just enjoy the beautiful University of Kent campus that is our home.