The British Art Show is a great way to showcase our artistic community.

Eastern Daily Press: Paul Bommer - Lion and Unicorn, an example of artwork on show in Norwich in the Print Show 2016.Paul Bommer - Lion and Unicorn, an example of artwork on show in Norwich in the Print Show 2016. (Image: Archant)

This year will see the visit of the British Art Show to Norwich. Every five years, galleries in four cities across the UK play host to an exciting and ambitious exhibition of contemporary British art, introducing the work of some of the most important UK artists to the public outside London for the first time. The show is expected to attract over 250,000 visitors to the city.

The majority of events will take place at major venues such as NUA's fantastic new East Gallery and Norwich Castle Museum but the show also provides a great opportunity to showcase our city's wide range of independent venues.

Norwich is home to a thriving artistic community. In my role as the creative arts manager at the Assembly House I feel lucky to be part of the network of artists, curators and enthusiasts that keep Norwich buzzing with creative endeavour.

If you've never visited the Assembly House, we're situated just between the Theatre Royal and Chapelfield. The house has always been a proud supporter of the arts in Norfolk and down the years we have played host to a wide range of artistic goings-on. Throughout its history, the building has been home to a large number of art exhibitions, live concerts, lectures and other activities.

Formerly a cinema, the west wing of the house is now the venue for the Noverre Gallery and Shop, a space celebrating Norfolk's very best designers, makers and craftspeople and displaying and selling some of our county's finest textiles, jewellery, ceramics and visual art.

Throughout the year I have the rewarding job of curating a range of exhibitions throughout the building. It's an incredibly gratifying task: working alongside so many creative minds is endlessly inspiring. Norfolk is home to some of my favourite illustrators and printmakers and it's my job to get their work seen and loved. For example, we are currently exhibiting some imaginative and colourful work by acclaimed local artists such as Rob Barnes, Paul Bommer and Leanda Jaine Hughes as part of our 2016 Print Show.

Norwich University of the Arts seems to provide the city with an endless stream of enthusiastic creative minds, ready to take the plunge and start up their own independent studio, gallery or shop.

Some of my favourite artistic spaces can be found in Norwich Lanes. The Fairhurst, for example, is one of the city's hidden gems. Tucked away on Bedford Street, the gallery does without the luxury of window space, instead relying on the regular support and word-of-mouth marketing provided by the city's bustling network of creative enthusiasts. Their exhibition programme offers a great mix of local and national artists, while upstairs, their framing workshop is a sight to behold, keeping alive high quality framing techniques.

Just around the corner is the Giggly Goat, a shop filled to the brim with handmade crafts sourced from all over the UK. Owner Helen Fisher curates a beautiful selection of ceramics, glass, jewellery, greetings cards, textiles, prints and original paintings. All of the suppliers are independent designer/makers, and it's a great place to find a unique gift.

Moosey Art is a relatively new space on Bridewell Alley, successfully championing the very best in urban/contemporary art by artists from all over world. Moosey also does a great job of showcasing Norwich's emerging talent as part of their constantly intelligent and witty exhibition programme.

If you're looking for something contemporary and challenging, look no further than the excellent OUTPOST in Tombland. A gallery run by artists, their team work tirelessly to earn their reputation as a leading centre for artist activity in the east of England.

I could go on. Norwich has so much going for it in terms of interesting creative spaces, curated and energised by passionate artists, curators and organisers. Those visiting our city this year might just have to book a return visit.

Print Show 2016 will be open Tuesday-Saturday until Saturday, March 27.

• Lottie is an artist, textile designer and the manager of the Noverre Gallery and Shop at the Assembly House in Norwich.