Projects & Partnerships

Creative and Cultural Communities

North Yorkshire Council’s Creative and Cultural Communities team sits within the Culture and Archives Service and provides support to the creative sector, individuals, community groups, the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector, cultural organisations and creative practitioners to help North Yorkshire become a place where everyone, irrespective of age, location or personal circumstances has the opportunity to create, participate, experience and be inspired by a wide range of creative and cultural activities and assets.

We deliver to achieve the strategic priorities of the North Yorkshire Cultural Strategy.

Why not sign-up to our North Yorkshire Cultural Network Newsletter to find out what the team has been working on, explore exciting opportunities for collaboration, learn about new funding and training opportunities and stay up to date on the latest cultural events and projects happening across North Yorkshire. We’re here to support your creativity and help grow the cultural scene in our incredible region.

North Yorkshire Cultural Strategy

The new North Yorkshire Cultural Strategy was launched in Dec 24 further to consultation and input from a range of cultural practitioners and stakeholders and is reviewed and updated collaboratively on a rolling annual basis at our annual Cultural Symposium.

The strategy steers the work of the Creative and Cultural Communities team in its support of the North Yorkshire cultural sector and its vision is:

To create a distinctive region where accessible and inclusive culture and heritage is at the heart of improving people’s lives.

 It has a global ambition, with a local focus and aims to champion cultural entitlement, to ensure that everyone, irrespective of age, location or personal circumstance, should have the opportunity to create, participate, experience and be inspired by a wide range of creative and cultural activities and spaces.

We will be ambitious in its delivery, helping ensure creativity to thrive in every part and that North Yorkshire is recognised as a leader in rural culture and creative health.

For more information, please email culture@northyorks.gov.uk

North Yorkshire Cultural Networks

We support and facilitate various networks across North Yorkshire, pivotal to this is the North Yorkshire Cultural Consortium who review and co-develop our cultural strategy.  Other networks include Creative Drivers, Selby; Scarborough and Tadcaster Creatives (led by ARCADE), the North Yorks Moors Cultural Partnership and the Creative Craven Network.

Creative Craven Network:

Are you a creative practitioner or cultural organisation in the Skipton & Ripon Constituency area? Would you like to be part of the Creative Craven Network?

Find out more

The aim of the Creative Craven Network was to establish a connected and supportive creative community in the Skipton & Ripon Constituency area for the benefit of all its members.

The network is open to creative students, practitioners, and cultural organisations across all art forms, who live/work/study in the Skipton and Ripon Constituency area – or have a connection to the area. For information contact culture@northyorks.gov.uk

Creative North Yorkshire Map

Find out more

The interactive map was created to improve visibility, profile, exposure and accessibility for the creative sector.  In line with the North Yorkshire Cultural Strategy, we are now widening this content across North Yorkshire.

Do you need to find a creative organisation or practitioner? Browse the map below to discover the wealth of creative expertise available.

If you would like to be added to this directory, please email culture@northyorks.gov.uk

How to navigate:

• To filter categories or view a dropdown list of map entries, please click on the icon in the top left corner of the map.
• Click on a map pin or list item to view more details for each creative organisation, business or individual.
• You can zoom in and out of the map using the buttons in the bottom left corner or by double clicking on the map (right mouse button to zoom out, left to zoom in).

Puppetry Symposium & Festival

The Skipton Puppet Festival is England’s largest celebration of puppet theatre for families. The biennial celebration has showcased puppetry from national and international puppeteers since X. Skipton hosts a packed weekend of ticketed and free activities, establishing itself as an inspirational melting pot for artists and audiences, for every age and demographic.

In 2025 Skipton took a different approach to previous years, pausing the festival to address the challenges facing the industry, and bringing the sector together for the first time in the UK. Along with four days of fabulous festival events, demonstrations, activities and performances, Skipton Town Hall hosted the first ever International Puppetry Symposium – a two-day gathering of puppetry professionals from the UK and beyond. Organised by North Yorkshire Council and funded by Arts Council England, the event focused on sector growth, early-career support, and international collaboration.

Out of the Box Learning

Led by Make More Arts, supported by North Yorkshire Council and in partnership with more than 20 museum and heritage sites, Out of the Box Learning is a website sharing engaging object-based content which explores the people, histories and heritage of North Yorkshire and beyond. The site responds to calls from communities and schools with ever-tightening budgets struggling to access museum collections across the county. There are now over 100 objects included on the site.

Key aims of Out of the Box are:

• To increase object-based engagement;
• To provide access to cultural capital and heritage engagement in the community;
• To provide learning resources which assist with oracy and spoken language development

Out of the Box learning has plans for further development including new themed content and work with additional heritage partners. https://outoftheboxlearning.org/

Other North Yorkshire Projects

The Creative and Cultural Communities team lead and support the delivery of a number of externally funded creative projects and cultural programme across North Yorkshire.

A snapshot of these can be viewed here

Now Then!

Now Then! is a co-produced ACE/SPF and NYC funded programme of commissions, highly visible artworks, workshops and festivals telling the stories of Selby, Tadcaster and Sherburn and the people that live there. It focuses on people’s pride in where they live and the deep roots of the district.

Communities are starting to recognise their towns as places to go for high quality, free to access cultural experiences, recognising that high-quality arts is not just taking place on their doorstep, it is being created here.

The programme has embedded artists within local venues, libraries, schools, village hubs and the 955-year-old Selby Abbey. Young people and community groups have co-created cross art-form work, unique to each town and relevant to their lives. From weekly writing groups for adults to interactive theatre with school children, every part of the programme has been delivered after consultation with the people who live in the area, whether they were born and bred here or have recently arrived.

Now Then! creates bespoke programmes for each town delivering large scale events, from light nights to outdoor arts festivals, providing free opportunities for families, children and young people to experience world class arts.

For more info contact  NowThenSPP@northyorks.gov.uk and Facebook: @nowthencreative / Instagram @nowthenselby.st 

Image credit Kirkpatrick Photography

Northallerton Heritage Hub

The Northallerton Heritage Hub is located at Northallerton Library, continuing the legacy of the Historic England‑funded High Streets Heritage Action Zone. Originally launched as a six‑month pop‑up exhibition, it is now in its fourth year, offering exhibitions and workshops that explore the stories of Northallerton and its people.

The Hub includes a permanent display of Northallerton Prison artefacts, such as an original cell door etched with markings from former inmates, the prison bell, and the roll of governors. Learn about one of the prison’s most remarkable inmates, Sophia Constable. Imprisoned at just 11 years old, she was sentenced to three weeks’ hard labour and four years in a reformatory school for stealing a loaf of bread. Discover her story and the powerful statue by renowned sculptor Ray Lonsdale, located nearby.

The Hub is delivered in collaboration with Northallerton Library and North Yorkshire Archives, with support from the Creative and Cultural Communities Directorate of North Yorkshire Council. Work continues to develop the Hub’s programme and secure future funding, ensuring its lasting legacy as a valued cultural and heritage resource for the town.

The Hub’s online presence is available at www.northallertonheritage.uk, where visitors can explore a growing archive of videos, images, and stories from Northallerton’s past

Imaginosity

A creative learning initiative involving Mill Hill, Alverton, Applegarth and Romanby Primary Schools in Northallerton, working with artist Simon Crook to develop ideas and creative skills. Established at Mill Hill in 2018, Imaginosity helps children build creative thinking, problem-solving, confidence and resilience, supporting wellbeing and future workplace connections. Alverton joined in 2023, followed by Applegarth and Romanby in 2024. Each year, Mill Hill hosts a showcase event, inviting families and the community to celebrate the children’s work.

Imaginosity continues to grow, inspiring schools to embed creativity in learning and strengthen links with their wider communities whilst also giving children the opportunity to partake in creative problem solving, working in groups of mixed ages. Pupils have built confidence and ability while they have been participating and skills developed are being applied to other areas of the curriculum.

Photo by Willam Bean

Catterick Town Centre Development and Public Art Programme

Managed and developed by North Yorkshire Council’s  Creative and Cultural Communities; Economic Development; Regeneration; Public Health; Localities team and external colleagues including Beam, Katayoun Dowlatshahi, Steve Anwar (Sapien Studio), Hazel Oakes (Nocciola the Drawer), MOD, DIO, Align Property Services, Barton Howe, Parish and Town Councils, NHS Humber and North Yorkshire and VCSE partners, Catterick Garrison Town Centre Development integrates a high-quality, inclusive public art programme as part of a £21 million regeneration project.

The initiative aims to reflect the unique identity, heritage, and aspirations of the military and civilian communities, enhancing the public realm and fostering civic pride. Through commissioned artworks, the project promotes creativity, wellbeing, and cultural participation, while supporting local artists , fostering new partnerships and encouraging collaboration and inclusion by embedding art in public spaces. Reflecting shared stories, values and aspirations the public art (final installation planned for late summer 26) will celebrate local history, create a sense of belonging, and contribute to the vibrancy of the new town centre and community enterprise building.

Scarborough 400

2026 is a landmark year for Scarborough as it celebrates 400 years since the discovery of its spa waters, a moment that shaped the town’s history and established it as one of England’s first seaside resorts.

Scarborough’s spa legacy began in 1626 when Thomasin Farrer discovered mineral springs beneath the cliffs near to the Scarborough Spa. These waters, which stained the rocks a russet colour, tasted slightly bitter and were discovered to cure minor ailments. Neighbours and friends were told about the beneficial effects and soon, ‘drinking the waters’ became the accepted medicine for Scarborough’s townspeople. Dr. Robert Wittie published a book about the waters in 1660, and Scarborough soon transformed into a fashionable health resort.

By 1700, local entrepreneur Dicky Dickinson had built the first spa buildings and introduced a fee for visitors to “take the waters”, laying the foundation for Scarborough’s reputation as a health retreat and paving the way for its status as “Britain’s first seaside resort”.

Today Scarborough is a lively seaside town with a vibrant cultural calendar across its many venues, both indoor and out.  Across the two bays and beaches are host to a variety of seaside fun and entertainments and the streets above them are packed with busy shops and attractions.

For more information: Visit North Yorkshire | Scarborough 400

Skipton Pride

Skipton Pride is an annual celebration of diversity and inclusivity. The event showcases a range of cultural activities, entertainment, and community engagement opportunities.

Skipton Pride is committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for all attendees and is organised in collaboration with various local organisations.  The celebration aims to create a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere for everyone.

The first Skipton Pride in 2021 took the form of a programme of events at Skipton Town Hall. Since 2022 a wider programme and outdoor event has been organised in partnership with organisations including Skipton Town Council, Skipton BID, Skipton Library, North Yorkshire Youth Voice, SELFA Children’s Charity, Craven College, and North Yorkshire Youth Charity.

Find out more

Skipton High Street Heritage Action Zone

Funded by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and administered by Historic England, Skipton’s High Street Heritage Action Zone (HS HAZ) looked to find new uses for empty historic buildings in and around the High Street. Aiming to attract younger people to the town centre through the creation of public spaces for cultural activities and the development of youth markets and festivals.

From 2020 to 2024, working in partnership with Skipton Town Hall and other local organisations, HS HAZ put on a four-year programme of cultural activity.

Image © Stephen Garnett

Find out more

Langcliffe Quarry – A History of the Limeworks Industry

North Yorkshire Council has undertaken an exciting project: Langcliffe Quarry – A History of the Limeworks Industry. This initiative is transforming the nationally significant site into a unique visitor facility.

To celebrate the project, North Yorkshire Council hosted series of events, including guided walks, art exhibitions, and family-friendly educational activities. These activities were all free, with events suitable for all ages.

By enhancing and promoting Langcliffe Quarry, North Yorkshire Council aims to attract more visitors to the region, supporting the local economy and preserving this important heritage site for future generations.

Find out more

Rural Culture: Creating a Hub for Craven

Funded by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, the Rural Culture project worked throughout Craven to develop new ideas for accessible cultural activity within the district’s communities.

Through working in partnership with other rural venues, community groups, creative practitioners and regional organisations, the project championed everyday creativity around the district, exploring how this might help to combat rural and social isolation in a sustainable way.

Find out more

Skipton Camerata – Orchestra in Residence

Founded in 2004 by its artistic director Ben Crick, Skipton Camerata is North Yorkshire’s only professional orchestra. In 2005, the orchestra took on the name Skipton Building Society Camerata in recognition of the generous support it continues to receive from its major sponsor, Skipton Building Society.

The orchestra’s core purpose is to provide live classical music to a national standard in areas of limited provision across Yorkshire. It has a growing reputation across the North of England for delivering innovative and engaging performances.

Skipton Camerata likes to introduce audiences to music and composers they may not otherwise discover, so it regularly commissions and premieres new works.

The orchestra regularly teams up with schools and charities to offer workshops and concerts for children and students.

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