An arts director who helped build Leicester’s Cultural Quarter and support thousands of local creatives has been honoured at the first of De Montfort University Leicester’s (DMU) summer graduations.
Peter Knott, former Area Director for the Midlands at Arts Council England, received an Honorary Doctorate of Arts in recognition of his contribution to the cultural life of Leicester and the wider Midlands.
He did so in front of an audience of students eagerly awaiting their turn to cross the stage and become graduates, completing their students at DMU.
And, in a satisfying twist, the event took place in Curve theatre, the venue Peter played a key role in founding back in 2008.
He said: "It feels like a real privilege. I'm a Leicester boy so to be recognised in my home makes me feel very proud and I'm very grateful.
He reflected on the personal significance of receiving the honour at Curve, a building he helped bring into being early in his career.
"Amongst the biggest achievements of my career was in helping establish the Cultural Quarter here in Leicester, and one of the first jobs I had at the Arts Council was to be part of the financial assessment of what became this building. So, to be here today at Curve it does feel like there has been, for me, a full circle journey."
Since 2013, Peter has overseen an increase of £47 million in Arts Council investment across the region, backing artists, organisations and communities. He helped establish UK Young Artists, now part of UK New Artists, giving early-career creatives, including many DMU graduates, international opportunities and platforms to launch their careers.
His influence on the region's cultural landscape reaches well beyond funding decisions. Knott has championed major developments including Curve itself, playing a driving role in the regeneration of Leicester's Cultural Quarter, as well as Nottingham Contemporary and Birmingham's Dance Hub. Through Place Partnership Programmes in areas such as Derbyshire and Ashfield, he has brought councils, artists and educators together to use creativity as a tool for social and economic change, while also growing a more diverse and representative body of National Portfolio Organisations across the region.
Offering advice to this year's graduates, Knott encouraged them to trust in their own potential, even when the path ahead isn't clear.
Peter Knott was nominated for the honour by Sally Doughty, Associate Professor of Dance, who has worked alongside him through the UK Young Artists project.
"Peter's leadership has positioned the Midlands as a national example of how creativity can drive regeneration, wellbeing and identity," she said. "His belief in empowering the next generation of artists resonates deeply with De Montfort University's commitment to creative learning and opportunity for our students."
DMU's summer graduations continue at Curve throughout the week, with thousands more students set to graduate.
Posted on Tuesday 8 September 2026