Our University partnerships

Aesthetica

We are a long-standing partner of Aesthetica, a multiplatform award-winning arts and culture organisation. It is a destination for art and culture. 

Aesthetica Magazine is one of the leading British art and culture publications with 550,000 readers across print, digital and social media. The publication is distributed in 900 outlets through WHSmith, all the major galleries, WHSmith Travel in train stations and airports, Eurostar, and it is exported to 20 countries. The magazine was founded in 2003 by inspirational York St John University alumni, Cherie Federico and Dale Donley. 

Aesthetica showcases innovative practitioners across art, architecture, photography and design. They also run a range of events, awards and exhibitions to celebrate excellence across these areas. Each year, we are proud to host several events for the BAFTA-qualifying Aesthetica Film Festival (ASFF), including screenings, masterclasses and workshops. 

We have hosted the Aesthetica Future Now Symposium on several occasions, which is a key event on the UK arts calendar with speakers such as Martin Parr, Cornelia Parker and Nadav Kander. We are also a key partner for the Aesthetica Art Prize, which is the cornerstone of new global talent focusing on the changing nature of society through the lens of art and culture. 

Our partnership with Aesthetica is part of our ongoing support for the arts and creative industries.

Aesthetica Magazine Aesthetica Short Film Festival

"The team is full of bright, intelligent, forward-thinking creatives who were inspiring to meet and work alongside. I’ve enjoyed seeing the Art Prize exhibition at York Art Gallery for many years, so to gain insight into how the prize is produced was fascinating."

Stuart, Aesthetica summer internship

York Rugby League Football Club (York RLFC)

We are a partner and sponsor of local rugby club York RLFC, a partnership which has been in place since 2018.

York RLFC train at our York St John University Sports Park on Haxby Road. This state-of-the-art facility includes a bespoke rugby league 4G pitch which is used by both the Knights and Valkyrie. We have also supported the club to host a range of events over the years, including Fans' Forums, Fish and Chip Fridays, the Excel Player Development Programme, and the RISE Programme.

Our support for York RLFC is part of our ongoing commitment to our local community. We work to extend the transformative power of university education to the communities we serve. Find out more about our work with the community.

York RLFC

York Pride

We are proud supporters and sponsors of York Pride. Each year we come together with our local community to take part in the summer York Pride event. 

York Pride aims to promote equality and diversity for those living in York. This includes a focus on eliminating discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity.

Our support for York Pride reflects our ongoing commitment to social justice. We strive to address the inequalities, injustices and challenges facing society today. Our Trans and Gender-diverse Inclusive Framework outlines our approach to providing an inclusive environment for all. We have a great community of LGBTQ+ students, staff and allies who stand together to raise awareness of LGBTQ+ issues. Find out more about Our inclusive community.

York Pride

York International Shakespeare Festival

We are proud partners and sponsors of York International Shakespeare Festival (YISF), a partnership which has been in place since 2023. 

York International Shakespeare Festival seeks to showcase local adaptations of Shakespeare’s works alongside international interpretations, and to make global Shakespeare accessible to UK audiences from York and beyond.

As an international festival that promotes global perspectives, diversity and inclusivity, YISF actively promotes inclusivity and global perspectives. This ethos strongly resonates with York St John University's core values, particularly our commitment to social justice. This partnership not only enriches our ties with local communities but also amplifies our joint dedication to fostering diverse cultural dialogues and inclusive experiences.

York International Shakespeare Festival