Cultivate Ideas

Cultivate Commissions 2026–2027 supports individual creative practitioners to collaborate with communities across County Durham. The programme aims to strengthen local creativity, build meaningful connections, and nurture pride within the county’s diverse communities.

There are 20 commission opportunities available, each supporting a creative project developed with an identified community group. Each commission offers £3,900.

The commissions are open to individual creative practitioners who live and/or work in County Durham and have not previously received a Cultivate Commission in the 2024-25 round. Cultivate Commissions forms part of Into The Light, County Durham’s Arts Council Place Partnership Programme.

👉 Find out more about Cultivate Commissions on thewebsite

To support the launch of Cultivate Commissions, Northern Heartlands is hosting a series of Cultivate Ideas events, delivered both online and in person.

The Cultivate Ideas sessions are informed by learning from Cultivate Commissions 2024/25, led by Northern Heartlands and No More Nowt, ensuring that creative practitioners can benefit from the insight and experience gained through this countywide creative programme.

These sessions will:

• Introduce the aims of the Cultivate Commissions programme
• Explain the commission offer, application process, and key timeframes
• Highlight opportunities from Into The Light partners, including the Skills Hub
• include activities to spark conversation around creativity and developing community engagement
• Provide space to meet and network with other creative practitioners

Attendance is optional and not required to apply for a Cultivate Commission.

• 4 sessions available: 2 online and 2 in person
• You only need to attend one session, as the same content will be covered in each

Please note: Photography and/or filming may take place at in‑person events. Let the team know on the day if you do not wish to be photographed or filmed.

Whether you're exploring an idea, planning to apply, or simply want to connect, these sessions are a great place to start.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher Northern Heartlands