Following the signing of a new partnership agreement with Wellington Square we will be working to bring even more creative opportunities to people visiting Stockton Town Centre in the future. This will build on a number of successful projects that we’ve already delivered together through collaboration over the past few years.
So far we have been able to collaborate to situate artistic activity in Wellington Square, with everything from pop-up performances and large-scale and community exhibitions to durational installations and permanent artworks. This wide range of activities has helped create a more vibrant and welcoming environment for customers visiting Wellington Square, contributing to the regeneration of the town centre by creating a more aesthetically exciting space.
It’s also created important opportunities for artists to develop with their practice, and for them to engage with a wider audience. As well as providing the opportunity for school children, community groups, and members of the public who’ve submitted their work via open calls to have their work seen in the busy town centre hub.
The new agreement is about recognising the strength of the partnership and opens the way for us to explore more ways of working together in the future to embed more creative activity at Wellington Square, creating a more beautiful space in the shopping centre and a more fun visitor experience. It will also provide more opportunities for communities to engage with arts and culture when out and about, as well as increasing opportunities for artists to create work and have it seen.
Chloe Lawrence, ARC’s Programmes Manager, said, “We’re really excited to have this new agreement with Wellington Square. We’ve had a brilliant time working with them in the past, and can’t wait to deliver even more creative activity in collaboration with them. Part of our mission as a charity working for the benefit of local people is about increasing opportunities to experience and participate in the arts, and a partnership like the one we’ve developed with Wellington Square helps us do just that.”
Chantal Taylor, Wellington Square’s Marketing Manager, said “With the rejuvenation of Stockton town centre it’s paramount to my role to make Wellington Square an inviting environment and by partnering with ARC we have made the shopping centre a vibrant and unique experience for our customers. This relationship has also helped us reach new communities and help benefit local artists, photographers and schools. We have plenty in the pipeline for 2024 already and we can’t wait to get started – watch this space!”