Bold Futures

This ambitious project will move our organisation from a founder-led model to a community-led, resilient and future-focussed organisation in the priority place of Longton, Stoke-on-Trent as we bid for Town of Culture and look to NPO.

It builds on learning from our high-impact UKSPF work to develop opportunities for emerging and developing artists in the cultural sector, and audience development in deprived communities through a winter spectacle event with narrative parade.

The Winter Gathering 2026

Building on previous events over the past 2 years, The Winter Gathering 2026 will be a spectacular free winter event in Longton Park. The event will be the result of:

• Artist Masterclasses for skills development, including:

  Masterclass with Paschale Straiton in street theatre, character development and chorus work

  Masterclass with Daniella Beattie around technical spectacle

  Mentoring with Kat Boon on upscaling production

• 6 months of community devising and making with participants and volunteers

• Training programme for community performance leaders

• Development of adult & youth volunteer performers

Community-led Decision Making & REBRAND

Our company has shifted over time from a founder-led structure to a community-led structure. We are taking the opportunity of a co-founder stepping back to invite our communities to rebrand the company and step into stronger decision making roles. We will:

• Work with Sarah Boiling (community governance consultant)  to advise and facilitate transition to functional community governance models and robust succession planning

• Develop transparent KPIs devised with the community and accountable reporting and monitoring systems

• Work with community groups to co-create the company name and branding

SHARING LEARNING

This year of development will deliver two reports that share the learning processes to local and national sector:

• Community governance in embedded arts practice

• Young people’s creative career experiences