From Peninsula Arts to The Arts Institute

Find out more about our name change
Peninsula Arts Gallery

The University has an updated visual identity. We are the University of Plymouth with an updated logo based closely on our official Coat of Arms. It celebrates the University’s past, revisiting its origin as the School of Navigation.

This speaks directly to the University’s public arts programme, in terms of celebrating both heritage and the contemporary and cutting-edge. 

It reinforces a voyage we’re about to take, in terms of a new arts and culture era, with the opening of Plymouth’s new international flagship venue, The Box, in 2020. 

It illuminates the University’s role in leading the research-informed and experimental strand of The Box, with which our audience has become so familiar.

We are taking such an opportunity to wear this badge proudly and provide relevance and clarity to new audiences regarding our offer to the city’s arts and cultural agenda and aspirations.  

Therefore, we invite you to join us in celebrating our consistent high-quality arts offering as we welcome old friends and newcomers alike on our new voyage as The Arts Institute.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why has Peninsula Arts changed to The Arts Institute? 

Over the last 14 years Peninsula Arts has evolved significantly and truly found its place in the city's art and cultural offer and aspirations. The academic research that uncovers, challenges and experiments, lies at the heart of what we do, and the name The Arts Institute articulates and represents this more closely. This is a University arts programme that welcomes an audience of all ages and backgrounds to experience contemporary and cutting-edge arts. 

2. Will Peninsula Arts cease to exist?

Only in name. The people and programme of exhibition, film, talks, music and performance remain, but as The Arts Institute.
You'll still find us in the Roland Levinsky Building and still hosting our key partners Literature Works and Plymouth Culture. All our regular events remain in the season and you can still pick up the Guide to find out what's on.

3. What will happen to the current research Arts Institute? 

The research portfolio will continue just as before but now has a broader remit. The public season will operate under the umbrella of the existing Arts Institute with Professor James Daybell continuing as Director of the research portfolio, alongside Dr Sarah Chapman, Artistic Director of the public programme.

4. How will the name change affect me?

It won't, however you will see the new name and logo on all of our material including the brochure and website.


5. Will the programme only be for the University and academics? 

No, this remains a public arts programme. We welcome students, the community, families and artists and academics. There is something for everybody. It is about an experience, discovery and enjoyment!

6. Where will it take place?

We will use all the familiar venues and of course, from 2020 onward – The Box, Plymouth. 

7. Will I still be a Peninsula Arts Friend?

We would love you to. Simply, you will not notice any immediate difference. You will become a Friend of The Arts Institute.

8. Why is the gallery now called The Levinsky Gallery?

We have now delivered ten seasons of our public arts programme since our move into the iconic Roland Levinsky building. As a direct result of the vision of our late Vice Chancellor, Professor Levinsky, we have flourished and now sit at the heart of the city’s arts and cultural offer and the University’s national and international ambition.

We are delighted to mark such success by renaming the Peninsula Arts Gallery, The Levinsky Gallery.

Find out more