Artist Commission – Ouseburn Valley map

Working with cultural partners in the Ouseburn Valley we facilitated an illustration project with the brief to commission an illustrator to create a map of the creative hotspots in this urban village. Illustrator Tom Woolley was chosen to carry out this work, and the partners were thrilled with the results. With this map, the cultural quarter is easy to navigate, helping to connect audiences to many independent organisations and to raise the profile of the creative sector in the city.

Peoples Theatre emerging artists programme

Forging a new partnership with The People’s Theatre, we begin a sponsorship arrangement to support their arts programme which provides  a platform for amateur and emergent local artists to exhibit their work and access new audiences.

Anne Cater, Gallery Manager at The People’s Theatre: “We have been showcasing emerging artists work at the theatre for many years. Our new foyer and gallery space now provides a spectacular backdrop for exhibitions and, with the Biscuit Factory Foundations support, our exhibiting artists have access to a wider audience and commercial expertise”

To find out more about upcoming exhibitions, or to submit to exhibit contact: gallery@peoplestheatre.co.uk | visit: www.peoplestheatre.co.uk/gallery

Open Contemporary Young Artist Award

Heading into its third year, the Open Contemporary Young Artist Award launches again for 2018  with an open call to artists aged 35 and under.

2017 saw over 600 entrants submit their work for consideration, which resulted in an exhibition of work by 27 artists. This year we hope to see even more entries as prospective applicants may be keen to be involved with The Biscuit Factory’s summer programme as a part of The Great Exhibition of the North.

The overall winner, judged by a team of Curators will receive a cash prize of £1000 plus the opportunity for a solo show at The Biscuit Factory. The public can also vote for their People’s Choice Winner, who will be awarded £250.

The shortlisted exhibition launches at The Biscuit Factory on Friday 18 May and forms part of the gallery’s line-up for The Late Shows – the city’s free annual culture crawl around Newcastle and Gateshead.

Make your mark competition

The Biscuit Factory Foundation are pleased to be supporting NCFE with their project Make Your Mark. NCFE is a national Awarding Organisation, passionate about designing, developing and certificating diverse, nationally recognised qualifications and awards. NCFE have launched this project to find a unique piece of art which captures in artistic form their core purpose - “we create opportunities for success to enrich society.” 

The Heaton Arts Festival

We were proud to sponsor the Heaton Arts Festival managed through the Byker Community Association – a community led festival that celebrates the diverse and artistic community of Heaton. The festival aims to encourage people of all ages to participate in a variety of activities including kids and adults workshops, fire dancing and life-drawing. The festival was founded in 2011 by local artists Hayley Hare, Mick Smith & Aly Smith and this year brings on board Cat Jarman from Drop Everything. The festival was started to give artists in all stages of their career and practice a chance to exhibit their work, perform and most importantly engage with their local community. It was also a chance for the local community to engage with art.

West Jesmond Metro School Project

In June 2014 The Biscuit Factory Foundation helped to set up this unique art project between artist Bernie Wisniewski, West Jesmond School and Nexus.

Therapeutic Art

The Biscuit Factory Foundation realised that art could provide opportunities for helping  people in the local Shieldfield area.  One such opportunity is using art therapeutically for  those who are or were suffering from emotional and stress related difficulties. This has been realised by the establishment of Painting for Fun ran voluntarily by Kim Todd, a retired G.P. The classes have grown in appeal and popularity and  are now held mornings and afternoons at The Holy Biscuit.  Over the months Painting for Fun  has become an excellent Community Event.- creating a good and supportive relationship helping those attending. The skills required in painting have helped the participants improve in health and confidence. As well as helping build a sense of Community.  Some of the participants have gone on to get employment, some have moved on to do other art related projects and many continue to feel that the weekly session helps them to cope with the stresses and pressures of life.

Public Art – Derlon de Almeida in association with Vamos!

Sunday 7 July saw the official opening of the Brazilian artist Derlon de Almeida’s amazing artwork created on the front wall of what will be “The Biscuit Box studios”. This event took place as part of Newcastle/Gateshead Vamos festival, a celebration of Spanish and Portuguese speaking cultures.

Derlon de Almeida is one of the most important names in Brazilian urban art, a self-taught artist whose artistic language includes a mix of street art, Brazilian popular culture, wood cuts (xylography) and pop art. A household name in Recife – aka Manguetown – Derlon made the city his canvas and his creations can be found on walls and buildings in Brazil and abroad with individual exhibitions and commissions in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Lisbon and Amsterdam. Derlon was recently featured in the BBC 1 series Brazil with Michael Palin. Derlon’s first UK solo show From Manguetown: The Urban Art of Derlon opens on 17 July at Shoreditch´s gallery, London.

New Lights Art Competition

We are proud to be supporting New Lights – an arts organisation who share our ethos for nurturing young artists.

New Lights is a charity formed in 2010 to promote and support emerging young artists in contemporary art in the North of England. New Lights offer many exciting opportunities to artists at a critical stage in their development, with their  main event being a biennial, high profile exhibition.

For more information visit http://www.newlights.org.uk/

Ouseburn Open Studios

TBFF project manages the twice annual Ouseburn Open Studios event on behalf of eight local cultural venues.  A widely anticipated event in the cultural calendar, Ouseburn Open Studios attracts around 5,000 visitors to the area throughout its weekend allowing visitors to meet artists, participate in workshops, view demonstrations and to buy directly from them.

Venues include: The Biscuit Factory//The Biscuit Tin//The Mushroom Works//Cobalt//36 Lime Street// Northern Print// The Toffee Factory// Jim Edwards Studio gallery// Chilli Studios// Kiln

www.ouseburnopenstudios.org