Just before Christmas, I caught up with Katy Taylor, Artistic Director and CEO of Queen's Hall Hexham.
Katy heads up the 'Hexham Cultural Network' group and was happy to tell me what it is and what it's for.
If you are a freelance artist or creative based in Hexham or near to Hexham and you'd like to be part of a new co-working group for artists, creatives and freelancers at Queen's Hall Hexham or The Maltings in Berwick please contact me hello@culturenorthumberland.co.uk in the first instance and I'll put you in touch with our local co-ordinators.
Here is my short interview with Katy;
Who Hexham Cultural Network for?
The network is designed to bring together all of the larger cultural and heritage organisations in Hexham – Queen’s Hall, Library, Hexham Book Festival, Hexham Abbey, Museums Northumberland, Northumberland Archives, Hexham Book Festival, Hexham Community Partnership, Core Music – the criteria for membership is that it is a not-for-profit organisation with a focus on culture or heritage with paid staff and which has the capacity to send someone who is a decision making role.
How long it’s been running?
Since 2019 when we were successful in our bid to lead the cultural programme for the Hexham Historic High Streets Action Zone
What happens at a network meeting?
All the organisations share their plans and priorities. It is also a space to share ideas, training opportunities and think about partnership working.
How often you meet?
About once every quarter depending on our workloads.
If there is any online presence?
The network doesn’t produce any of it’s own work so we all use our own organisations online channels
There is also a 'place based' network in Blyth and we are supporting the development of two more networks in Alnwick and Berwick-upon-Tweed this year. For more information please email hello@culturenorthumberland.co.uk