Join us for a fun, informal, unique spin on network events - "speed dating", but for artists & creatives.

If you're like us, you probably find networking exhausting, and daunting, and let's be honest you’d rather stay at home curled up with a good book.

“Speed Arting” aims to shake that up. Join us for a fun, informal, unique spin on network events, one that maximises connections but minimises anxiety.

We’ve stolen the concept of “speed dating” and tweaked the formula. You will have the opportunity to meet other artists, through quickfire conversation, moving from table to table like some sort of slow, wordy ceilidh (country dance).

But in order to give you a leg up in the industry, we've arranged a handful of selected curators, who will give advice and guidance on how best to communicate with galleries and art organisations.

Location: Port Independent
(Sunderland City Centre, SR1 1QD)

Date: Friday 21st April 2023

Time: 6pm - 8:30pm

Cost: £5 per guest

Click here to buy tickets through Eventbrite.

Welcome to ArtyParti's 3rd "Celebration" event, supported by Sunderland Culture.

Further info:

As usual, we'll be recording a panel discussion, with a focus on mental health and wellbeing, it's value within the arts, and how to look after yourself in 2020.

On the panel:

• Katie Mitchell - Arts & Health Network North East, and studying a PhD focusing on evaluating the impact of arts programmes on mental health & wellbeing.

• Katherine Lowe, Director of Banyan Arts CIC, who deliver "Expressive Arts workshops to encourage healing, wellbeing, and rehabilitation for all."

• Gary Nicholson - Director of Regeneration North East, who host art therapy sessions every Wednesday in the Sunderland Minster.

By popular request, we'll be trying out workshop experiences as part of this event - offering you the opportunity to learn mindfulness skills and techniques to help support you as a creative:

Breakout sessions include:

• Stephanie Smith will share her "skin-mapping" practice, as featured on BBC Radio 4's "Drawing in the Dark".

• Anne Risaria Langley will deliver a "Constellation" workshop, inviting you to reflect on your future through creative expression.

• Alicia Gerez will share limited-movement choreography as a way to unleash creativity.

And, to finish off the day, we'll join the singing group based at Donnison School for live performances, audience activities, and to discuss the wellbeing benefits of group singing.

ArtyParti's live Celebration events are made possible thanks to funding from Arts Council England, and the National Lottery Heritage Fund, via the Unlock strand of Sunderland Culture's Great Place scheme.

Welcome to our collaborative event, with ArtWorks-U and the Thought Foundation.

Further Info:

“Nature, Nurture, Future”:
Artists and researchers discuss parenting, future generations, art and participation.

You are invited to this free Saturday afternoon participatory workshop, and an on-location recording of the award-winning ArtyParti radio programme and podcast.

A collaboration between University of Sunderland's Participations Research Network, Dr. Sheila Quaid, the Thought Foundation, and the ArtWorks-U Network for artists working in participatory settings.

Free lunch & refreshments will be provided.


Our speakers / performers:

• Sky Hawkins: Poetry and performance coach, also known at "The Word Bird", and considered one of the North East’s top performance poets.

• Leanne Pearce-Billinghurst: Co-Founder, Manager and Resident artist at Thought Foundation.

• Gareth Billinghurst: Co-Founder of the Thought Foundation.

• Sheila Quaid: Founder of "Nature, Nurture, Future". Senior lecturer in Sociology, and specialist in interdisciplinary approaches & arts-based learning.

• Julie Ovington: Lecturer from Childhood Studies Programme, University of Sunderland.

• Lindey Cookson: Lecturer from Childhood Studies Programme, University of Sunderland.

• Sam Reverley: Lecturer in Criminology, University of Sunderland.

You are invited to our second quarterly ArtyParti Celebration.

Join us for a live recording at Mackie's Corner, in collaboration with Sunderland Culture, as we celebrate the legacy of artists who have occupied the space over the past year, as part of Sunderland Culture's Great Place scheme.

Come join us for a drink or two, to network with other creatives in the city, and to hear about some inspiring creative practice taking place in the North East.

Further info:
Thanks to Sunderland Culture's generosity in helping support us to reach new audiences, through the Unlock strand of the Great Place programme, we'll be hosting four "live events" at venues around Sunderland over the space of the year.

The night will be divided into three "as-live" recordings, each with a different group of invited guests - and between them a change to mingle, & meet other artists and creatives.

You are invited to our first quarterly ArtyParti Celebration!

Join us for a live recording at the Arts Centre Washington, in collaboration with Sunderland Culture, as we celebrate the work of artists who use glass in their creative practice.

Come enjoy a drink or two, network with other creatives in the city, and hear about some inspiring creative practice taking place in the North East.

Tickets are absolutely free - but we are limited to 120 places. If you would like to attend, please fill in the form below:

Further info:
Thanks to Sunderland Culture's generosity in helping support us to reach new audiences, through the Unlock strand of the Great Place programme, we'll be hosting four "live events" at venues around Sunderland over the space of the year - the first of these being at the Arts Centre Washington.

The night will be divided into three "as-live" recordings, each with a different group of invited guests - and between them a change to mingle, meet other artists, and enjoy the People's Pyrex exhibition.

This event runs parallel to the People's Pyrex exhibition at the Arts Centre Washington - so do bring along your own pyrex if you'd like to add to this growing participatory exhibition.