Credit: Von Fox Promotions

Thursday 19th February 2026

10am - 1pm

Live Theatre, 27-29 Broad Chare, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3DQ

Explore what a Newcastle Culture Partnership could be — and how to get involved in the city’s creative opportunities over the next year.

How do we build a stronger, more connected cultural future for Newcastle - and how can artists, organisations and the city do it together?

This half-day event at Live Theatre brings together artists, freelancers, community practitioners and commissioning organisations to explore the next stage of the Newcastle Culture Partnership.

Hosted by Keith Merrin (North East Museums/ Newcastle Gateshead Cultural Venues) and Annie Rigby (Unfolding Theatre), the session builds on last autumn’s initial meeting and marks the start of a new series of focused conversations around the main themes of Newcastle’s Cultural Strategy. This first event focuses on Place - what culture means in Newcastle, how it shapes the city, and how a partnership approach could help it thrive.

You’ll hear directly from organisations delivering festivals, events and cultural programmes over the next year, who will outline what’s coming up across the city and future commissioning opportunities.

Speakers confirmed so far:

• Anna Disley - New Writing North

• Maddie Maughan – Newcastle City Council

• Vikki Leaney – Creative Central NCL

• Ben Whitfield – Newcastle NE1

Alongside this practical insight, there will be space for open conversation about how a Newcastle Culture Partnership might operate in reality - its structure, priorities and ways of working - and how the cultural community can help shape it.

Ten £75 bursaries are available to support freelance artists and community practitioners to attend.

To apply, email info@unfoldingtheatre.co.uk with a few lines about:

• why you’d like to attend

• how it would support your work

If applications exceed availability, priority will be given to freelancers based in Newcastle and to those from backgrounds currently under-represented in the cultural sector.

Free tea and coffee will be provided.