Oxford's Schwarzman Centre Announces Debut Season Unfinished Revolutions
From May to June 2026, the University of Oxford's Stephen A. Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities will present its inaugural cultural season, titled Unfinished Revolutions, in celebration of 250 years of American independence. John Fulljames will direct the event, which features renowned artists such as Suzan-Lori Parks, Cécile McLorin Salvant, and Sarah Jones. Noteworthy performances include Salvant's Book of Ayres and Anna Clyne's Looking Glass. Additionally, Lil Buck teams up with ZooNation to reinterpret 1776 through hip hop. Discussions will feature Afua Hirsch alongside historian Patrick Spero, focusing on Jefferson's draft of the Declaration. The centre, designed by Hopkins Architects, opened in late April, welcoming over 12,000 visitors, and will continue with Utopia Now! in October-November 2026.
Key facts
- Unfinished Revolutions runs May–June 2026 at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities, University of Oxford.
- The season marks 250 years of American independence and explores the legacy of 1776.
- Directed by John Fulljames, featuring artists Sarah Jones, Suzan-Lori Parks, Cécile McLorin Salvant, Taylor Mac, Lil Buck, Anna Clyne.
- Highlights include Salvant's Book of Ayres, Taylor Mac and Matt Ray's Bark of Millions in Concert, and Anna Clyne's Looking Glass.
- Lil Buck collaborates with ZooNation and Body Politic youth companies.
- Conversations include Afua Hirsch, Peter Frankopan, Percival Everett, and historian Patrick Spero.
- The centre opened in late April 2026 with over 12,000 visitors during a free Open House festival.
- The Schwarzman Centre includes the world's first Passivhaus concert hall, designed by Hopkins Architects.
- Cultural Fellows include Refik Anadol, Hans Ulrich Obrist, Anoushka Shankar, Kae Tempest, Es Devlin, Nitin Sawhney.
- Utopia Now! season runs October–November 2026 with Nitin Sawhney commission and A History of Utopia by Brian Eno and Kim Stanley Robinson.
Entities
Artists
- Sarah Jones
- Suzan-Lori Parks
- Cécile McLorin Salvant
- Taylor Mac
- Lil Buck
- Anna Clyne
- Matt Ray
- Afua Hirsch
- Peter Frankopan
- Percival Everett
- Patrick Spero
- Refik Anadol
- Hans Ulrich Obrist
- Anoushka Shankar
- Kae Tempest
- Es Devlin
- Nitin Sawhney
- Brian Eno
- Kim Stanley Robinson
- John Fulljames
- Alexandra Vincent
- Thomas Jefferson
- Lewis Carroll
Institutions
- Stephen A. Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities
- University of Oxford
- Hopkins Architects
- ZooNation
- Body Politic
- American Philosophical Society
- Oxford Humanities Division
- Institute for Ethics in AI
- Oxford Internet Institute
Locations
- Oxford
- United Kingdom