Access and Facilities
We are working to make Nottingham Contemporary as accessible to as many people as possible.
Our team are always happy to help you with your access requirements. Please go to the reception desk or ask our friendly gallery assistants should you require any assistance.
Our full building access statement can be downloaded here.
Changing Places Facilities and Accessible Toilets
We have an accessible building with lift access on all floors. We have two accessible toilets on the lowest floor, including a Changing Places toilet with a changing bed. Access to the Changing Places toilet at Nottingham Contemporary art gallery requires a RADAR key. Keys will be provided on request at Reception and in the Cafe for visitors who don't carry their own.
You can get further information about the RADAR key scheme from the RADAR website.
You should be able to obtain a RADAR key by contacting the Access Officer at your local authority. For those who can't get a RADAR key from your local authority, you can obtain one from RADAR directly for a small charge.
Access Tools for our Exhibitions
Large-print versions of exhibition information panels are available in the galleries and we can provide other information in large print on request. We welcome guide- and hearing-dogs throughout the building.
Easy Read versions and translations of our exhibition notes are available on our website and at our reception desk. We currently provide exhibition notes in Urdu, Polish, and Arabic.
Children's and adult's ear defenders, coloured overlays and magnifiers are also available at our reception desk.
Extra Facilities
Portable fold-up stools are available for you to take around our galleries. We can also provide a wheelchair for you to borrow. Please ask at reception for more details.
Hearing loops are fitted in our reception and in The Space.
Our spacious lockers are able to store most large bags or buggies.
Our quietest times of the day are the first and last hour we are open.
Assistance dogs
Appropriately trained assistance dogs are welcome throughout Nottingham Contemporary. Please show our reception staff your ID book from Assistance Dogs International (ADI), Assistance Dogs UK (ADUK) or the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF) on arrival, and if possible ensure that your dog is wearing an appropriate tabard or harness.
If your assistance dog is not registered with ADI, ADUK or IGDF, please contact us ahead of your visit. We will ask you to provide documentary evidence confirming that your dog has been trained as an assistance dog by a recognised trainer.
If you are planning to visit us with an assistance animal other than an assistance dog, please get in touch to discuss your visit in advance.
Many of the artworks on display in our galleries are fragile and not behind protective barriers, so for insurance and safety reasons, we are only able to welcome trained assistance animals.
No other animals are permitted in the gallery spaces or events.
Well-behaved dogs are welcome in our shop and café.
More information on planning your visit
We can arrange bespoke artist-led workshops and free gallery talks for a broad range of groups with additional support needs. For more information and to book, please contact learn@nottinghamcontemporary.org or call 0115 948 9783.
If you are planning on visiting and would like further information, you are welcome to call in advance on 0115 948 9750, so we can ensure your visit is pleasurable.
Communication Cards
Communication cards are a means of visual, or nonverbal, communication.
You can use our communication cards to ask for directions or help in our building. The facilities included in these cards are our toilets, lift, café, shop, lockers, seating, first aid kit and exit. Show one of the communication cards to a member of Nottingham Contemporary staff if you need to be shown to one of these things or places.
You can download these cards to print at home or save them as a PDF on a portable electronic device such as a mobile phone or tablet.
Click here to download the print at home version (white)
Click here to download the digital PDF version (white)
Click here to download the print at home version (yellow)
Click here to download the digital PDF version (yellow)
There are also sets of laminated communication cards available next to the reception desk in our building. You are welcome to use these but please return them once you've completed your visit.