Creative Factory

CREATIVE FACTORY IS NOT A BUILDING

Creative Factory is an idea. By putting artists and creative thinking at the core of our approach, our factory will make new opportunities for Middlesbrough, where artists are not only welcomed, but listened to, nurtured, developed, supported, and given a much wider perception of success and a broader understanding of what a long term career can be.

Let us know what you need, what you would like to do and how we can all work better together.

What we did

Creative Factory is where being creative is work, where artists get paid and are valued members of society, contributing to Middlesbrough’s future.

Since August 2018, we have created 50 artist commissions; over 100 artist bursaries; 30 free mentoring places; given 3 year-long free studios (with Navigator North) and supported organisations such as The Auxiliary Warehouse, Platform A Gallery, RoRo Studio, Pineapple Black, Middlesbrough Art Weekender, Newmarch Workshops & Start Studio.

We produced a film about Middlesbrough’s Orange Pip Market, consulted about the Southlands Centre; developed plans for Middlesbrough’s city centre; Newham Grange Farm; sponsored a music festival, worked on a cultural strategy; created an art rental plan and new commissions for Middlesbrough Council’s office and are developing a public art plan for Boro.

We’ve invested in a tool & equipment library, a young people’s group and a mental health awareness campaign plus a new creative community hub in the town centre which attracted 4000 people in 40 days. This doesn’t even scratch the surface of all the hard work that the organisations and artists have done in making Creative Factory a vital resource for Middlesbrough.

People We’ve Helped

Since starting in August 2018, we have created 20 artist commissions; over 100 artist awards; 30 free mentoring places; given 3 year-long free studios (with Navigator North) and supported organisations such as RoRo Studio, Pineapple Black and Middlesbrough Art Weekender, Newmarch Workshops, Start Studio.

We produced a film about Middlesbrough’s Orange Pip Market, consulted about the Southlands Centre; developed plans for Middlesbrough’s city centre; Newham Grange Farm; worked on a cultural strategy; created an art rental plan and new commissions for Middlesbrough Council’s office and are developing a public art plan for Boro.

Upcoming work includes an equipment library, a young people’s group and a mental health awareness campaign plus a new creative hub in the town centre. This doesn’t even scratch the surface of all the hard work that the organisations and artists have done in making Creative Factory a vital resource for Middlesbrough.

Organisations: artists union england / axis / camerados / cc skills / contemporary british painting / conversations in painting / cultural partnership board / empty shop / gallery photogroup / grl / heelapalooza / hun / identity / international women’s day / mark deveraux projects / middlesbrough art weekender / mima / navigator north / newmarch workshops / northern film / orange pip market / pineapple black / platform arts / reading promise / rivershack / roro studios / start studio / teesside university / the auxiliary warehouse / ts1 / wax / whippet up

Opportunities Offered

IMPORT / EXPORT TRAVEL GRANT

26/02/2020 – 25/06/2020

Creative Factory are pleased to offer an ongoing series of Import / Export travel grants.

We are inviting Teesside-based visual artists / groups to apply for support towards travel to UK arts events, research, meetings and networking events. Additionally, applicants can separately apply for travel bursaries to invite relevant people / organisations to the region.

There will be 4 open calls throughout the year. Applicants are encouraged to plan within these dates although we are always receptive to enquiries as we understand that opportunities may arise at short notice.

We are looking to provide travel grants that are relevant to your practice; provide experience and new contacts; that bring new knowledge and skills to you and Teesside.

These could be for studio visits, exhibition, networking events, meetings, research, etc. We are open to discussions on what would be relevant to you.

Where possible, we’d like to encourage car-sharing /mini bus and travel buddying both for environmental reasons and also in order to develop shared experiences and critical dialogue. We will connect people through the scheme. Where this is not possible, early booking is encouraged to keep down costs.

Import /Export grant of up to £200 are available for travel and accommodation but please only apply for specific amounts as this helps us help more people.

If your application is successful, we would like to hear about your trip and would expect a short piece of writing, updates on our social media channels; a video or creative response to the opportunity.

To enquire please send:

1. How much you are applying for and why

2. Why you would like to go & how it will support your practice. (no more than 500 words)

3. Name, address, telephone, email

4. Any relevant web links.

Working with our partners Teesside University, Navigator North, Platform Arts, MIMA and Middlesbrough Council, applications will be assessed by professional development benefit and relevance to your practice.

For further information please email:
Gordon Dalton, Creative Factory Producer
Gordon_Dalton@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Creative Factory Production Grants

Creative Factory offer Production Grants to artists in the area.

We are inviting Teesside-based visual artists / groups to apply for support towards production of new work including equipment costs; venue hire; fees; materials, etc.

There will be 4 open calls throughout the year. Applicants are encouraged to plan within these dates although we are always receptive to enquiries as we understand that opportunities and need may arise at short notice.

Production Grants of £500 are available but please only apply for specific amounts. This may enable more than 4 grants.

If your application is successful, we would like to hear about your practice and would expect a short piece of writing, updates on our social media channels; a video or creative response to the opportunity.

To apply, please tell us:

1. How much you are applying / how it will support your practice. (no more than 500 words)

2. Name, address, telephone, email

4. Any relevant web links.

Working with our partners Teesside University, Navigator North, Platform Arts, MIMA and Middlesbrough Council, applications will be assessed by professional development benefit and relevance to your practice.

For further information please email:

Gordon_Dalton@middlesbrough.gov.uk, Creative Factory Producer

Creative Factory Writing Bursaries

Creative Factory offer Writing Bursaries throughout the year. Please enquire about availability. 

We wish to increase the profile and critical discussion of art in Middlesbrough. The Writing Bursaries will be published on our website and social media channels. This could be reviews, features, essays, etc.

You will be able to:

Write in an honest and accessible style

Be critical but kind

Be able to write accessible, critical copy to deadlines, with insight and a sense of humour

Previous experience is not necessary and we welcome creative approaches

To Apply:

Please contact Gordon_Dalton@middlesbrough.gov.uk with the following information:

Full name
Mobile Number
Email

Short statement explaining why the opportunity is of interest to you and what you are considering writing about (no more than 300 words).

Any web / social media links

Email Gordon_Dalton@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Creative Factory Mentoring

In 2019, Creative Factory announced a major new mentoring scheme for artists, artist-led organisations and freelance arts professionals in partnership with Teesside University’s Launchpad programme.

It offered 30 free individual and group mentoring places. This includes core topics but this can be expanded and modelled to individual needs and shared themes within the group.

The mentoring specialisms are:

– Accounting and Taxation
– Business modelling and planning
– Legal and Intellectual Property 
– Sales and Marketing
– Branding
– Commercially creative 
– Networking and Public Speaking

Following an initial meeting with individuals, we allocate hours dependent on your need and availability. Group sessions will follow to identify common issues and themes eg. social media, marketing, well being, community, digital. There is also opportunity to access specialist equipment at the university.

Mentoring will initially take place at Victoria Building on the University campus and/or via Skype. Each topic is normally delivered in 2hr sessions.

In addition, the group will be invited into Launchpad to meet some of our businesses and discuss how the building can be used to drive a social enterprise project that uses the arts to engage the disenfranchised group.

Artists from any discipline are invited to apply to use the mentoring as professional development, a refresher, learn new skills and be introduced to a creative, forward thinking way of working. You will be an advocate and champion for Creative Factory and Launchpad and have the potential to make, learn and innovate.

To apply:

To apply, please tell us:
1. How the mentoring will support your practice (no more than 300 words)

2. Name, address, telephone, email

4. Any relevant web links.

Working with our partners Teesside University, Navigator North, Platform Arts, MIMA and Middlesbrough Council, applications will be assessed by professional development benefit and relevance to your practice.

Deadline: Currently closed

To apply or for further information please email:

Gordon Dalton, Creative Factory Producer
Gordon_Dalton@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Partner Opportunities

There are currently no partner opportunities, please check back for updates.