Tees Valley Leadership Programme | Annual Gathering 2025

Inspiration, connection, collaboration

The Annual Gathering is your chance to actively connect, find inspiration and share ideas with creative individuals, cultural organisations and regional stakeholders. Explore, collaborate and contribute to a sustainable, well-connected and forward-looking cultural sector in Tees Valley.

This event is for all creative and cultural professionals living or working in Tees Valley. Whether you’re an artist, creative freelancer, working in or leading a cultural or creative organisation, or work in a role like producer, programmer, project manager or arts administrator - this event is for you.

The Annual Gathering programme offers a dynamic line up of sessions with a range of ways to engage, inspire, connect and collaborate. Sessions include:

Meet the stakeholders -

Quick fire ‘PechaKucha’ style presentations from local funders, councils, cultural organisations and networks to discover current vision and strategies for the region, as well as opportunities for funding, collaboration and connection. Attendee questions will be collected throughout for a dedicated Q&A.

A choice of breakout style sessions -

• in-conversations with innovative cultural leaders
• practical communication skills workshops
• peer led provocations and conversations
• personal reflection and recharging space (prompts and materials provided)

An all-attendee workshop -

Spark action you can implement; and explore how and where your spark connects with peers, stakeholders and the sector ecology.

Informal & friendly networking opportunities -

A live 'Marketplace' will be running for those who want to bring printed materials, share information, find and swap expertise or connect and collaborate. Networking buddies will be operating and there will be time to meet or follow up with people across breaks and at the end of the day (5-6pm).

Visit the for the full programme schedule.

• Connection with other people working in arts and culture in the region
• Inspiration, new ideas and new approaches from speakers and peers
• The chance to develop your own leadership skills in a practical way
• A broad understanding of key Tees Valley stakeholders’ vision and strategy in the region and your own unique positioning within the cultural ecology
• A personal action that contributes towards a thriving, sustainable and well-connected cultural sector in Tees Valley

Venue -

This event will take place at Middlesbrough Town Hall across a number of different spaces within the building. The building is wheelchair accessible via lifts and there is step-free access from street level.

There will be a designated Quiet Room in operation throughout the event that is separate from the main spaces and food areas.

Requirements -

After you have booked your ticket you will be sent an online form to collect your dietary and access requirements.

Access support for the event might include (but isn’t limited to) live speech to text captioning, BSL interpretation, notetaking, audio description, tickets for assistants or support workers.

A buddy style network will be operating for the day. If you feel like you could benefit from a buddy to help you connect, network or participate in the event, there is an option to select this when you book your ticket.

If you would like a conversation with a Clore Leadership team member before booking, or would like support in completing your booking and sharing your requirements, please email [email protected]

Ticket cost -

The ticket cost for the Annual Gathering is on a pay what you decide basis. There is a recommended minimum rate of £8 + VAT. Lunch and refreshments are included with the ticket price.

Freelancer bursaries -

A limited number of bursaries are available for Tees Valley freelancers at a fixed rate of £125 towards loss of earnings incurred due to attendance at this event. Bursaries will be allocated on a first come first served basis and are subject to your attendance at the event.

To request a freelancer bursary please tick the request box when booking your ticket. You will be contacted via email to confirm bursary allocations and processing details.

Breakout session choices & networking information -

After you have booked your ticket you will be emailed an online form to select your breakout session preferences and join the attendee networking list. There are limited capacities for some sessions so confirming preferences early is advised.

Can you help?

We are looking for a small group of people to act as connectors for this event. Connectors will help generate conversations, raise provocations, or act as buddies supporting others who may be less confident participants and networkers. If you would love to help, please tick the relevant box when booking your ticket. A free online training session in February will be offered to those interested.

**Booking ends on Monday 17 February**

If you have any enquiries about the event please contact [email protected]

Host or Publisher Clore Leadership