Borderlands Creative People & Places

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Borderlands Creative People & Places

Bringing creativity and communities together across Middlesbrough and Redcar & Cleveland ✨

15/05/2026

Save the date for the brand new Middlesbrough Storytelling Festival! 👏

It celebrates stories in all their forms - spanning literature, music, dance and more. People of all ages are encouraged to gather round to enjoy events being held across Middlesbrough from 𝟮𝟰𝘁𝗵 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝟭𝘀𝘁 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲.

As part of the festival, a full day of events and activities will be held on Middlesbrough’s Centre Square on 𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟳𝘁𝗵 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲.

The Middlesbrough Storytelling Festival is brought to you by Middlesbrough Council, in partnership with Teesside University and the National Literacy Trust, and coincides with the National Year of Reading.

13/05/2026

A reminder that applications are still open for Middlesbrough Council’s Creative Community Grant Funds!

Middlesbrough Council's Creative Communities Grant Fund ensures residents across the town have access to creative activities outside of the town centre. we know our communities are a hotbed of amazing creative projects and these grants are a fantastic opportunity to secure additional funding for them.

The deadline for applications is Monday 18th May at 10am.

Follow the links below to learn more or apply for any of the grants available.

https://www.middlesbrough.gov.uk/community-support/community-grants/grants-for-constituted-groups/

https://www.middlesbrough.gov.uk/community-support/community-grants/grants-for-community-groups/

08/05/2026

An exciting new community project is underway in celebration of the Waterloo’s Road Mosque’s historic 50th anniversary!

The project explores a people's history of Al-Madina Mosque and its influential position in the cohesion and integration of Muslim people, as well as its reception by non-Muslim neighbours. Community members are invited to join workshops and interviews to share their memories and experiences.

The project will lead to an exhibition of archive materials, stories and photographs that delve into the history of the Mosque and highlight the cultural diversity, unity and cohesion it plays within our wider community.

Next Workshop Session
📍 MIMA
📆 Thursday 14 May
⬇️Follow the link below to learn more about the project

https://www.facebook.com/groups/920556367006441

06/05/2026

This month marks the start of All Year Round The Flower Patch CIC's From the Earth Digging Deeper sessions!

This is a shared community project with our friends over at The Flower Patch, which is all about expressing creativity and culture in nature through a series of practical workshops.

The sessions will explore various artistic skills and reintroduce the beauty and versatility of the natural world into different mediums of art.

📍Sandy Flats Lane, TS5 7YN
📆 Monday 18th May - 10am-12pm.
⬇️ See the link below to reserve your space in the sessions.

https://bookwhen.com/allyearround =ev-sqha0-20260518100000

26/03/2026

We’re looking for a poet to take on this unique two-year role! You'll be developing original work, delivering community activity and representing the voices of Middlesbrough and Redcar & Cleveland.

Part ambassador, part artist, the laureateship offers the opportunity to create and perform 8 original poems each year, reflecting on the people, places and issues that shape civic life across the region.

Poetry can be transformative, both for individuals and communities as well as a creative driver for positive change, raising aspirations and articulating new narratives of place. A laureateship programme can also be the voice of communities, connect local citizens with decision-makers and to each other, contribute to and establish cultural and literacy ambassadors while celebrating identity and belonging.

This is a chance to connect with communities, share powerful stories and help shape the cultural voice of South Tees.

Find out more and apply: https://borderlandscreative.com/updates

17/03/2026

Join us for Heritage Hair, a creative cultural exhibition celebrating the meaning, beauty and heritage of Black hair.

Created by participants of the Creative Youth Leadership Programme, the exhibit explores traditional African hairstyles, their history, cultural meanings and how they continue to influence modern styles today.

📍 Taste of Africa, 6 Dunkerque Mall, Hill Street Centre, Middlesbrough (TS1 1TA)
📆 Saturday 28 March
🕚 Open 11am – 3pm

Come and discover the stories, identity and creativity woven through generations of hair traditions. ✨

13/03/2026

Join this special day trip to the People’s History Museum and explore how communities across the UK share and celebrate their stories!

Inspired by recent conversations about local storytelling, this visit offers a chance to reflect on how Middlesbrough’s own voices and histories might be captured and shared in new ways.

The trip is organised by Middlesbrough Voices in partnership with Borderlands, part of the South Tees Creative People and Places programme.

📆 Saturday 28 March
⏰ 9am - 9pm

Travel is by coach. Places on the coach are free, but limited and must be booked!
Sign up here 👉 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/middlesbrough-voices-visit-to-manchester-peoples-museum-tickets-1963416571820? aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

10/03/2026

The People’s Poetry Masterclass with Rowan McCabe is coming to Middlesbrough!

Join this relaxed, hands-on workshop to explore how poetry can speak with people, not just to them, while staying expressive and authentic.

Using games, exercises and collaboration, Rowan will guide participants in creating work that resonates, inspires and builds community. Perfect for beginners and seasoned writers alike.

📍 The Chapel, Whitehouse Street, Middlesbrough
📆 Friday 13 March, 5–7pm
🎟 Book your FREE place, link in bio.

Stay afterwards for TWOOMPH!, an open-mic evening hosted by Tees Women Poets.

09/03/2026

Two exciting opportunities have opened up to join the Borderlands team and help shape creative activity across Middlesbrough and Redcar & Cleveland.

🎨 Creative Engagement Producer 🎨
Lead the development and delivery of ambitious cultural programmes, working closely with artists, communities and partners to bring bold creative ideas to life.

📊 Programme Coordinator 📊
Support the operational side of the programme by managing key systems for finance, data and administration and helping the team deliver impactful cultural projects.

If you’re passionate about creativity, community and collaboration, we’d love to hear from you.

Deadline for both roles 👉 26th March

Find out more and apply via the links in our bio.

06/03/2026

One night. So many voices. ✨

Join us at Bloom, Middlesbrough for the launch of The First Verse Anthology, a celebration of the powerful writing created through Borderlands’ South Tees Poet Laureate community engagement programme.

Expect performances from community participants, a headline set from Ayan Aden and the chance to be part of an evening that champions local voices, stories and creativity.

📍 Bloom, Middlesbrough
📆 Thursday 26 March
🕕 6–9pm
🎟 Free (booking essential)

03/03/2026

Borderlands Truck Art is wrapping up its run at Kirkleatham this Sunday, this is your last opportunity to experience this vibrant exhibition!

Before it ends, come and see the colour, detail and craftsmanship up close and discover how art can travel, connect and speak across cultures.

📍 Kirkleatham Museum
🎟 Free entry
⏳ Ends Sunday 8th March

Address

Middlesbrough

Website

https://borderlandscreative.com/

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