“Hidden Middlesbrough’s Cultural Programme has delivered a wide range of exciting and innovative activities, centred around heritage and culture, during its first year. The Masham Hotel reopened as the Heritage Action Zone Cultural Hub is a fantastic reinterpretation of ‘The People’s Winter Garden’ (1907-1963), an initiative that brought social activity, access to arts and culture, health and wellbeing to the people of the town. Today, the artists in residence are working closely with the public and local community groups, proposing and encouraging creative ways of learning about the history of Middlesbrough and devising for the future of the High Street.” Maria Carballeira Rodriguez, Historic England
Celebrating Hidden Middlesbrough is part of Historic England’s High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) for Middlesbrough.
The programme is led and delivered by members of the Middlesbrough Cultural Partnership; Navigator North and Tees Valley Arts, MIMA, The Auxiliary, Platform A Gallery and Middlesbrough Council.
Key architectural and cultural locations underpin the programme themes, reinterpreting the vision behind Middlesbrough Winter Garden (1907 to 1963) – an initiative to bring social activity, access to arts and culture, health and wellbeing to the people of Middlesbrough.
One year in to the two-year programme, Celebrating Hidden Middlesbrough share some key successes.
June 2021 saw the official opening of the High Street project space, The Masham – the Celebrating Hidden Middlesbrough team then went on to deliver:
Two exhibitions, three residencies, nine commissions working with 20 creatives, and 274 participants, all of which attracted 2,067 visitors, and reached 987,362 people online.
“Makes me feel proud of the history of Middlesbrough and thankful for finally getting to know the origin of the town I live in.” Resident
