Create Berwick Announces Funding for Three Cultural Resource Hubs

Create Berwick is thrilled to announce the funding of three exciting Cultural Resource Hubs as part of our ongoing commitment to enhance Berwick-upon-Tweed’s creative and cultural landscape.

These hubs are designed to foster community engagement, support local artists, and give everyone living and working in Berwick a chance to get involved with different cultural activities.

Each of the hubs brings a unique offering to Berwick’s vibrant cultural scene.

27 Art House: Weekly Life Drawing Classes

The first hub, hosted by 27 Art House, will offer weekly life drawing classes led by local artists Phoebe Stewart Carter and Amy Izat. These sessions aim to create an accessible, consistent space for artists, hobbyists, and community members to develop their artistic skills.

In addition to regular classes, the hub will also host quarterly exhibitions to showcase participants’ work and build connections with local schools and colleges, encouraging wider community involvement.

The Burr of Berwick: A Film Hub by Berwick Film & Media Arts Festival (BFMAF)

BFMAF’s initiative, The Burr of Berwick, will establish a year-round film-focused cultural hub in the town centre. This hub engages local communities and visitors through curated film screenings, workshops, and drop-in sessions.

Special emphasis will be placed on youth engagement, with film education programs and mentorship opportunities for young people. By leveraging BFMAF’s international profile, the hub will expand cultural horizons and attract new audiences to Berwick, boosting the local economy and participation in the arts.

Tortive Theatre’s The Straw Yard: A Space for Creatives and Community

Tortive Theatre will transform The Straw Yard into a versatile cultural hub offering rehearsal and development opportunities.

The hub’s Creative Community User Days will invite local artists, community groups, and cultural practitioners to use the space for workshops, events, and collaborative projects.

Additionally, Tortive Theatre will launch the Berwick International Playwriting Festival, which will provide a platform for local and international playwrights to develop and showcase new work, further enriching Berwick’s cultural fabric.

These projects mark a significant step forward in making cultural experiences accessible and engaging for everyone in our town and wider region.

We’re very proud to support these initiatives and look forward to seeing their positive impact on our community. Stay tuned for more updates as these hubs launch and begin their exciting programs!

In the 2025/2026 Financial Year, we will release an open call for more organisations to apply to set up a Cultural Resource Hub. Make sure you’re signed up to our newsletter to be notified when the opportunity is open.

All Create Berwick projects are funded by North East Combined Authority and Northumberland County Council.