Gateshead Council: Arts Programme - Emerald Explorers, Art Diamonds and Cultural Apprentices
2025-26 will see the continuation of an Arts Development programme of participatory creative activities for Gateshead communities and visitors to the borough.
Gateshead's Arts Development team has an excellent reputation for its high-quality cultural programming working with professional artists and cultural organisations to deliver accessible activities for communities that support improved wellbeing through creative engagement.
The three programme strands are -
Art Diamonds - An arts and wellbeing project for retired people providing activities to help reduce isolation by offering opportunities to socially connect, take part in art workshops and increase cultural experiences through creative activities in libraries, cultural spaces, communities and at home.
Emerald Explorers - Improving wellbeing and pride of place through creativity outdoors and a programme of cultural activities inspired by nature. Engaging Gateshead residents and visitors with activities inspired by the seasons and green spaces, including public workshops, work with schools, workshops with families and targeted communities.
Cultural Learning and Participation Officer Apprenticeships x 2 - Level 3, 14 month apprenticeships working across the Libraries Arts and Heritage teams. Providing a valuable work-based opportunity to build experience in the cultural sector and supporting their career development.
The apprentices will develop skills in organising and supporting participatory activities with communities, locality working, event planning, evaluation and marketing with the opportunity to work alongside professional artists, authors, historians and cultural organisations.
The arts programme funded by UKSPF supports Gateshead's Thrive agenda, improving emotional and physical wellbeing of communities, increased pride in the borough, strengthening the cultural economy by employing regional creatives to develop and deliver Gateshead based activity, supporting aspiration in young people and improved awareness in library, arts and heritage services.
The above programmes ran in 2023-2025 with 368 activities engaging 4241 people including schools and communities. From those surveyed, 99.5% rated their activity as good or excellent with 93% stating that taking part improved their wellbeing.
Feedback from the projects:
"Doing an apprenticeship with Gateshead Libraries and Heritage service has been an incredible opportunity to gain experience in a sector notorious for being difficult to break into.
I've developed skills I will take forward to my future career and will always remember this chapter of my life with utmost fondness!"
"I enjoyed going outside, seeing things first hand that you wouldn't usually see because you walk straight past." A school pupil from the Emerald Explorers project."
"Art Diamonds makes me feel ... welcome, valued, connected, inspired, happy, creative & among friends. Living alone, all these things improve my wellbeing immensely."
Contact
Karolynne Hart, Arts Development Manager, Gateshead Libraries, Arts and Heritage
karolynnehart@gateshead.gov.uk
0191 433 8420 (Gateshead Central Library)