Newark Creates is a three-year cultural programme (2021-2024) that forms part of Newark’s High Streets Heritage Action Zone.

The High Streets Heritage Action Zones scheme, aims to help with the recovery of local high streets, from regenerating historic buildings to helping to engage local communities through art and cultural projects.

Newark Creates will be developed and led by Newark’s Cultural Consortium, which is currently made up of several local organisations including Inspire Culture, Learning & Libraries, Newark and Sherwood District Council, Newark Civic Trust, Newark Heritage Trust, Newark Book Festival, Newark and Sherwood CVS, Newark Town Council, Tree Newark and Newark College (Schools of Violin, Piano and Woodwind).

Our aim is to create a series of exciting events and activities that will celebrate Newark’s heritage and arts organisations. We will work with communities and stakeholders across Newark Town Centre to embed the work of the High Street Heritage Action Zone.

It strives to discover new ways of working and approaches whilst supporting the existing cultural landscape, local artists and communities. It will programme high quality artistic activities to build pride, confidence and re-engage communities post Covid-19. The programme will connect with communities, audiences and participants who work, live, shop, create and visit Newark. This includes children, families, adults, isolated older people, communities affected by Covid-19 and visitors.

Our 2021 launch programme saw us trialling different activities across Newark Town centre, including a Heritage Poetry Trail at Newark Book Festival,  A Family Play Day, pop up dance performances as part of the SteamPunk and Brass Explosion August Bank Holiday weekend and twilight music and arts workshops in Newark Castle as part of the Heritage Open Days. At the beginning of October we took part in our first national Fun Palace for Newark, with pop up arts events happening all over the town. Our winter project is Musical Whispers, this is a health and wellbeing project which is a series of participatory music events taking place with community partners in venues across the town.

Are you a local artist or creative practitioner and are interested in learning more or getting involved? Drop us an email to find out more: sara.bullimore@inspireculture.org.uk.

Historic England is leading the High Streets Cultural Programme in partnership with National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Arts Council England.

Click here for more information on Newark High Street Heritage Action Zone.