Helix Arts has unveiled its Artists’ Agency to bolster North Tyneside’s artistic community.
- The initiative follows a successful pilot programme aimed at making North Shields a creative hub.
- Tailored support, including mentorship and networking, is at the heart of the agency’s offerings.
- Long-term funding from North Tyneside Council ensures sustained support for local artists.
- Plans are in place to extend the programme beyond North Tyneside, engaging wider communities.
Helix Arts recently launched its Artists’ Agency, a strategic initiative designed to reinforce the artistic community within North Tyneside. This programme is the culmination of a year-long successful pilot scheme that endeavoured to establish North Shields as a prominent creative hub, providing essential support and resources to local artists.
The agency aims to provide tailored mentorship, networking events, and peer-to-peer support, all integral components of the programme that assist artists in overcoming the challenges of sustaining careers in the arts. This initiative is part of Helix Arts’ broader commitment to nurturing North Shields’ Cultural Quarter, backed financially by the North Tyneside Council via the North East Combined Authority.
Key elements of the programme include responsive workshops and networking events, adapted to the artists’ evolving needs. Importantly, one-to-one mentorships with bursaries will enable artists to receive personalised guidance aligned with their career aspirations. Peer support networks will further facilitate collaboration and the sharing of experiences within the creative community.
Cheryl Gavin, director at Helix Arts, conveyed her enthusiasm about the programme’s capacity to reflect the insights of over 70 artists and creative enterprises. She emphasised that the flexible, participant-centred support is designed to equip artists with necessary tools for career success.
The programme pledges a minimum of 12 hours of support to 70 artists over the next three years, providing a spread of opportunities catering to diverse stages of creative evolution. Gavin expressed delight over the long-term funding secured from North Tyneside Council, following the pilot’s success, and the potential for the programme’s expansion beyond local borders.
Karen Taws, project manager for the North Shields Cultural Quarter, highlighted Helix Arts’ foundational role in constructing a vibrant community for artists. She remarked on the agency’s creation of a safe conversational space where artists can discuss and share aspects crucial to their work, fostering a sense of community and collective growth.
The Artists’ Agency by Helix Arts stands as a significant step in solidifying North Tyneside’s status as a thriving creative enclave, with plans for future expansion.
