Support
We’d love to hear from you
We’d be happy to talk to you about creative projects you might wish to develop either within or involving Darlington. We are particularly interested in original proposals which align with the strategic priorities in Darlington Culture Strategy 2022 – 2026:
- To creatively celebrate Darlington’s contribution to the birth of the modern passenger railway.
- For Darlington to have an accessible, diverse and vibrant culture, encouraging economic growth.
- For Darlington to champion engagement with culture, particularly amongst children and young people.
- For culture to thrive within Darlington Borough and attract visitors to the Town Centre.
- For Darlington to have a thriving theatre offer involving people of all ages.
Creative Darlington manages the exhibition programme in the Art Gallery at Darlington Library, and we welcome exhibition proposals. We also manage public engagement with Darlington Borough Art Collection | Art UK, please let us know if there are works you would like to view at Darlington Library, and have supported the development of sector led activity within settings including those below:
- Darlington Library
- Darlington Hippodrome
- Darlington Market
- The Forum Music Studios
- Hopetown Darlington
- The Hullabaloo
- The Dolphin Centre
- The Town Centre
- Community venues
- Schools
- Colleges
- Parks and other public spaces
We’re happy to hear from you and may be able to offer either Creative Darlington budget, in-support, or both to appropriate proposals. We can also connect you to those managing Darlington Borough Council Services which commission or offer in kind support to creative services, and other service managers within Darlington Borough Council. Please contact the Creative Darlington Manager, Stephen Wiper, on 07970184533 to discuss your ideas or by e-mail at stephen.wiper@darlington.gov.uk to start the conversation.
Further Resources and advice
Business Advice
Creativity and business go hand in hand and the creative sector makes an important contribution to the national and local economy. If you’ve got a business or want to set up a new business, please contact Invest in Darlington, who provide a range of advice and guidance to support business growth and investment in Darlington, including:
- Starting a business
- Business growth and expansion
- Moving a business to Darlington
- Property and land search
- Introductions to business networks and specialists
- Funding and business finance
- Skills and training
- Recruitment, including apprentices and graduates
- Business events and seminars
- Doing business with the Council
The team can be contacted directly from Monday to Friday on 01325 406305 or by email at: business.support@darlington.gov.uk
Investment and Fundraising Advice
The team maximise the funding and investment coming into Darlington. Our aim is to boost economic growth, create new jobs and attract investment. This will benefit businesses and the people of Darlington.
Our clients
We provide support and guidance to meet the specific requirements of our clients:
- internal departments within the Council
- other public sector organisations
- Darlington’s Community and Voluntary Sector groups and organisations.
Please note: this service does not support individuals.
Tees Valley Combined Authority
Tees Valley Combined Authority include Creative and Visitor Economy amongst their key sectors and are investing in a growth programme Creative and Visitor Economy Growth Programme – Business, recognise the importance of Start Up Support – Business and offer funded programmes to help you start up, scale up and innovate Funded Programmes – Business.
Arts Council England
Arts Council England are the national development agency for creativity and culture. They help people in every corner of the country to experience and benefit from creativity. They do this by investing in artists and organisations that make and deliver exceptional, inspirational work for communities. They offer a range of funding programmes, and many of artist led projects which Creative Darlington has supported to date were also supported through their open programmes, particularly Arts Council National Lottery Project Grants | Arts Council England.
Point North
Darlington borough sits within the remit of Point North, formerly County Durham Community Foundation, and offer a variety of grants to support local people, charities, and community groups. They fight poverty and enrich lives and state everyone deserves a better today and hope for a brighter tomorrow. Some of the previous awards from the grant programmes they manage have supported culture in Darlington.
