Schwarzman Centre opens to the public with world-class artists

The Stephen A. Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities opened to the public and launched its cultural programme on Saturday (25 April).

12,000 people visited the building to attend the free day-long "open house" event, featuring concerts, dance performances, talks and exhibitions.

Highlights included the world premiere of Es Devlin and Nico Muhly's choral installation 360 Vessels; performances by the Scottish Ensemble and ZooNation; and the unveiling of new art installations by AI pioneers Refik Anadol and Anna Ridler.

There were also outstanding performances by Oxford-based arts groups and Oxford University students, and many talks by Oxford University researchers.

Professor Jieun Kiaer explored the cultural world behind the story of K Pop Demon Hunters; award-winning poet Yomi Ṣode curated a series of live spoken word performances.

Head over Wheels, Justice in Motion, Body Politic YOUTH and The Cocoa Butter Club performed special extracts. While Richard Curtis’ bespoke sketch for the Schwarzman Centre "What have the humanities ever done for us?" was performed by the actor Tim McInnerny.

Alexandra Vincent MBE, Managing Director of Schwarzman Centre, University of Oxford , said: “We are thrilled to welcome audiences into the Schwarzman Centre to experience the building alongside students and academics of the University.

"Our incredible performance spaces will create a stage like no other to present our rich and varied cultural programme, drawing inspiration from the work of our world-leading academics, and welcoming audiences of all ages and backgrounds to the Centre throughout the year.”

John Fulljames, Director of the Cultural Programme, Schwarzman Centre, University of Oxford, said: “I’m delighted to see audiences engaging with such a breadth of work by internationally renowned artists.

"At the Schwarzman Centre, we bring together researchers, artists, and public communities to spark new collaborations that open up and deepen the Univer sity’s research, and help us explore what it means to be human today.”

Tickets for future cultural performances in The Schwarzman Centre are now available on www.schwarzmancentre.ox.ac.uk.

Photos by Oxford Atelier:
Top: ZooNation
Middle: The Great Hall Stage while Es Devlin presents her work
Bottom: Scottish Ensemble