Culture awaits at Gateshead's Shape Festival this half term
Gateshead's new Shape Festival is set to transform the borough into a cultural playground this half term. The festival, which begins on Saturday 21 February and runs to Sunday 1 March, offers events and workshops from live music, an exhibition, to textile-making, dance masterclasses and much more across the borough.
Funded by North East Mayor Kim McGuinness, Arts Council England, Gateshead Council and North East Museums, what sets the new festival apart is that the programme has been created entirely by young people, for young people. Groups from Gateway Studio, Reverberate, Blaydon Community Centre, Plus Group, Anime Attacks and Digital Voice have all been a part of creating the exciting line up.
Two of those who've been involved are Grace (15) and Daisy (12) from Eighton Banks. They've worked with Digital Voice to create a photography workshop at the Shipley Art Gallery.
Speaking about why young people should come to their workshop and other events in the festival programme, they shared: "Creative workshops are good for your mental health as you're out and about, meeting people and able to express yourself when words are tricky."
"You make friends and get new experiences which is fun. It makes you look at the world differently."
Creative producer Susan Mulholland has been managing the festival alongside the Arts Development team at Gateshead Council, and has been impressed by the creativity of the young people programming the events: "It's so important that the festival reflects what young people in Gateshead want to see happening on their doorstep - not what we as adults think they might like. The resulting programme is so varied and exciting. I hope people are inspired to try something new."
Councillor Angela Douglas, Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and Tourism, added: "Shape Festival is a true collaboration between young people, artists and our cultural community. Giving young people the opportunity to organise their own events is vital, supporting them to develop skills, improve aspiration and connecting them to the cultural sector in Gateshead."
Over the coming weeks, families can get involved in everything from a Fun Day at Blaydon Community Centre, a gig night at Downcast Studios and the festival's Final Fling at the Metrocentre.
Families can also look out for a new Creative Crawl which will see boxes pop up at 10 locations across the borough. The boxes were created by Gem Arts' Homework Club, Northeast Creative Network and Vane Gallery around the theme of Welcome to Gateshead.
To see the full programme and to book, visit: www.shapegatesheadculture.com
Gateshead's new Shape Festival is set to transform the borough into a cultural playground this half term. The festival, which begins on Saturday 21 February and runs to Sunday 1 March, offers events and workshops from live music, an exhibition, to textile-making, dance masterclasses and much more across the borough.
Funded by North East Mayor Kim McGuinness, Arts Council England, Gateshead Council and North East Museums, what sets the new festival apart is that the programme has been created entirely by young people, for young people. Groups from Gateway Studio, Reverberate, Blaydon Community Centre, Plus Group, Anime Attacks and Digital Voice have all been a part of creating the exciting line up.
Two of those who've been involved are Grace (15) and Daisy (12) from Eighton Banks. They've worked with Digital Voice to create a photography workshop at the Shipley Art Gallery.
Speaking about why young people should come to their workshop and other events in the festival programme, they shared: "Creative workshops are good for your mental health as you're out and about, meeting people and able to express yourself when words are tricky."
"You make friends and get new experiences which is fun. It makes you look at the world differently."
Creative producer Susan Mulholland has been managing the festival alongside the Arts Development team at Gateshead Council, and has been impressed by the creativity of the young people programming the events: "It's so important that the festival reflects what young people in Gateshead want to see happening on their doorstep - not what we as adults think they might like. The resulting programme is so varied and exciting. I hope people are inspired to try something new."
Councillor Angela Douglas, Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and Tourism, added: "Shape Festival is a true collaboration between young people, artists and our cultural community. Giving young people the opportunity to organise their own events is vital, supporting them to develop skills, improve aspiration and connecting them to the cultural sector in Gateshead."
Over the coming weeks, families can get involved in everything from a Fun Day at Blaydon Community Centre, a gig night at Downcast Studios and the festival's Final Fling at the Metrocentre.
Families can also look out for a new Creative Crawl which will see boxes pop up at 10 locations across the borough. The boxes were created by Gem Arts' Homework Club, Northeast Creative Network and Vane Gallery around the theme of Welcome to Gateshead.
To see the full programme and to book, visit: www.shapegatesheadculture.com
