Cultural Spring

28/05/2026

ARTIST CALLOUT

We're seeking two artists/creatives to deliver creative activities for families and festival audiences at this year's Summer Streets Festival on Sunday 5th July!

There are no restrictions on artform, but we're particularly interested to hear about activities that focus on intergenerational creativity and/or exploring and celebrating cultures from across the globe.

Fee: £400
Deadline for applications: 12 noon, Thurs 18th June.

Find out more here: https://www.theculturalspring.org/opportunities

27/05/2026

We’re looking for local people to become Community Champions and join our Steering Group!

As we begin an exciting new phase from 2026–2029, we’d love to hear your ideas, experiences, and what matters most to your community. Your voice can help shape what we do next.

If you live in South Tyneside or Sunderland and can join us for 4 meetings a year, we’d really love to hear from you.

No special experience is needed, just an interest in making a positive difference through arts in your local area.

See below for more information and register your interest using the form.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScMcLkmRNdWWnlC_XFALTvx74tti_nXIDhwZWU1HMZT2a5wgw/viewform?usp=header

26/05/2026

We're delighted to say that a book has been published to showcase the stories of Hebburn!

In 2024, when the Hebburn mosiac (on the wall at ASDA) was being developed, we worked with the amazing Lindsey Grieves to gather stories of local people as consultation for what the mosaic should be.

Once the mosaic was finished, Lindsey had gathered so many fantastic stories that showed how special Hebburn and its people are, (far more than could ever be incorporated into the mosaic) that it seemed a shame not to share them!

Artist Lizzie Lovejoy has taken some of the stories gathered and illustrated a selection for the book. You can find out more about the project, or read the book here: https://www.theculturalspring.org/hebburn-stories-and-mosaic. Copies are available at Hebburn Library for a limited time.

25/05/2026

Our Half Term craft sessions are starting tomorrow!

Drop in during session time, stay for as much or as little as you like, and have a go at creating masks and headwear for this year's South Tyneside Summer Parade!
All ages welcome, and it's completely FREE to participate.

Tues 26th May
Drop-in between 11-12.30pm
St Jude’s Church
Laygate, South Shields

Wed 27th May
Drop- between 10am-12pm
Ocean Road Community Association
Ocean Road, South Shields

Fri 29th May
Drop-in 10-12pm
Perth Green Community Association,
Inverness Road, Jarrow

23/05/2026

Final Throwback for our Nibbles is Commission 6 - Poetry Soup by King Ink CIC, led by James Whitman,

This Nibbles Commission project worked in partnership with Sunderland Community Soup Kitchen to explore how poetry can emerge from everyday conversation, trust, and lived experience.

The project began with a soft engagement period, building relationships with the volunteers and guests before moving into weekly creative workshops designed to support confidence, storytelling, and creative expression.

Key highlights:
• 12 weekly poetry workshops delivered (Sept–Dec 2025)
• 42 workshop attendances in total
• Sessions hosted at TriBeCa, providing a trusted and familiar space
• Co-created a collaborative poem alongside individual participant work
• Podbean podcast of the poems created.

What participants said:
“Sharing stories in conversation worked best.”
“Being in a comfortable space made a difference.”
“Listening to published poetry helped inspire ideas.”

What the project showed:
The most powerful moments came from informal storytelling, conversation, and building trust over time. The work highlighted how creativity can emerge in many forms not just structured writing and how important it is to meet people where they are.

It also reinforced the value of working closely with community organisations like Sunderland Community Soup Kitchen to create safe, welcoming spaces for the sessions with James.

To listen to the podcast click this Podbean link. https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-revkq-1ac042b.

Thanks to Sunderland Community Soup Kitchen for all their support.

22/05/2026

THIS SUNDAY!

Book your trip to Preston Caribbean Carnival!

We're going to experience the 52nd Caribbean Carnival, which includes a vibrant, colourful procession through the city centre followed by a Caribbean-themed family fun day on Moor Park, Preston. Come along for colourful costumes, delicious food, and fun for all the family!

Find out more and book here: https://bit.ly/3P43zHV

22/05/2026

Nibbles Throwback - Commission 5, Gamble

“Gamble” is a powerful creative project by Hannah Walker exploring the lived experience of gambling harm and addiction through storytelling, conversation, and co-creation.

Working with Recovery College and Game of II Halves in Sunderland, Hannah brought people together to:

Share lived experiences in safe, supportive spaces
Co-create creative workshop sessions rooted in real voices
Use theatre, writing, and dialogue to process difficult experiences

Highlights:
• 48 workshop participants across Sunderland
• 30+ people attended the final sharing event at Hylton Castle
• Strong engagement from first-time arts participants

Participant feedback:
“Totally unexpected and enjoyable night.”
“Full of humour, but the message got across.”
“It connects us.”
“Real, powerful, and different.”

This project shows how creativity can break stigma, open up difficult conversations, and help people feel heard, supported, and understood.

You can see the short film and all our Nibbles Commissions here https://www.theculturalspring.org/nibbles

21/05/2026

We’d like to say a huge thank you to The National Lottery Community Fund for supporting our Creative Enterprise Project, which launched in 2025.

The project is helping local people develop creative skills, confidence and enterprise knowledge through workshops, networking, business guidance and opportunities to sell their work.

So far, this has included a Go and See visit to the Festival of Thrift, alongside the creation of two ceramics groups: one in Sunderland and one in South Tyneside, led by Lindsey Grieves and Michelle Flynn.

Members of the ceramics groups have already been selling their work at craft fairs, with more planned over the coming months. The Nidderdale ceramics group recently attended Arts Centre Washington’s Spring Craft Fair, where their stall made more than £150 in sales. Across events and fairs, including a Christmas fundraiser at the Nidderdale Centre, the group has now made more than £800 in total.

A brilliant achievement — and just the beginning! 👏

21/05/2026

Nibbles Throwback - Commission 4 - Bench Encounters

Inspired by the Friendship Bench model from Zimbabwe, this project brought together younger and older men across South Tyneside and Sunderland to share stories, listen, and connect.

Led by Alex Elliot & Alan Lyddiard from The Performance Ensemble the project explored:
Honest conversations across generations
Mental health through storytelling and listening
Real voices captured through short film

Highlights:
• 8 sessions, 28 engagements
• All-male groups aged 16–69
• Final film sharing at Red Hackle Pub, South Tyneside
• Partnerships with local organisations including Headlight and The Red Bench Project

Watch the film here

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.