TIN Arts

13/12/2025

Grow Future Skills

We’re excited to share a short film looking back on the first year of Grow Future Skills, a programme The Forge has been developing as part of our long-term work exploring new literacies with young people and schools.

Grow Future Skills helps young people develop the skills they’ll need for the future — not just technical skills, but confidence, creativity and the ability to imagine new possibilities. It also supports teachers and schools to explore how digital tools and creative approaches can enrich the curriculum.

Over the past year, we’ve worked with brilliant schools, cultural partners and creative professionals to explore future-facing digital skills, creative learning and the power of the arts to inspire young people.

This first year has given us real insight into how creativity and digital literacy can come together to empower learners — and we’re excited to keep building on this.

🎬 Watch the film here: https://vimeo.com/1138155296

A huge thank you to everyone who shared their time, imagination and expertise. 💛

Grow Future Skills is part of Into the Light, a partnership between Beamish Museum , The Bowes Museum, Create North, Durham County Council, Durham University, Ensemble84, TheForge NorthEast, No More Nowt, Northern Heartlands CIO and TIN Arts.

Funded by Durham County Council, The National Lottery Heritage Fund through Arts Council England, the UK Shared Prosperity Fund ( ) and Durham University. Supported by Culture Durham Durham Culture County and Visit Durham

20/11/2025

Two months since IncludFEST 2025, and we’re still looking back on an incredible day! The festival was full of performances, workshops, and drop-in activities, from dance and theatre to hands-on arts and science. A huge thanks to all the performers, artists, crews, volunteers, and staff who made it happen.

Read the full event summary and watch the film by Zemap Video Production to see the day in action.
🔗 https://www.tinarts.co.uk/includfest-2025-event-summary-and-film/

Thanks to Durham County Council for their ongoing support for IncludFEST

Image description: Photograph of several dancers, with one young dance being lifted on anothers shoulders. The young dancer reaches their arm above their head and looks up to their hand. A digital drawing of a rocket is also shown. Text reads: IncludFEST 2025. Event Summary & Film out now!

17/11/2025

🚨 Last-minute availability for the PULSE schools programme! 🚨

We have 2 final slots left for this autumn term:

✨ Fri 28 November – PM
✨ Fri 5 December – AM

PULSE includes a professional dance performance, participatory dance workshop, and post-performance discussion — all linked to KS2 Earth, Space & Light.

Here’s what schools have said this term:

⭐ “The dance piece was beautiful, captivating and engaging… it got them thinking – something they can now emulate when they do dance in PE to display emotion and complex concepts through movement.”
⭐ “The children were absolutely entranced. Reached many hard-to-reach learners too.”

Find out more and download the info pack here:
https://www.tinarts.co.uk/current-projects/pulse/

If you'd like to book one of these final slots or have any questions, email katie@tinarts.co.uk or call 0300 124 0448 now!
PULSE is part of Into the Light a place-based creative collaboration driving long-lasting growth in County Durham.

Durham County Council This is Durham Durham University No More Nowt Northern Heartlands CIO Ensemble '84 The Bowes Museum Culture Durham

23/10/2025

🌍 Dancing Across the Borders 🌍

Today, as part of our Cultural Bridge Project, a partnership between ourselves and Germany’s Perform[d]ance, we welcome young people from the North East of Germany to collaborate with young people from TIN Arts on a digital dance film called ‘North East Moves.’

We’re looking forward to sharing the outcomes of this week’s collaboration very soon. In the meantime, you can learn more about the project and its aims in our latest blog post.

🔗 https://www.tinarts.co.uk/dancing-across-the-borders/

This project is funded by Cultural Bridge, which celebrates bilateral artistic partnerships between the UK and Germany through the collaboration between Arts Council England, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, British Council, Creative Scotland, Fonds Soziokultur, Goethe-Institut London and Wales Arts International / Arts Council of Wales.
https://www.cultural-bridge.info/

Arts Council England Arts Council of Northern Ireland British Council Creative Scotland Fonds Soziokultur e.V. Goethe-Institut London Wales Arts International - Celfyddydau Rhyngwladol Cymru Cyngor Celfyddydau Cymru | Arts Council of Wales

Image Description: 2 images on a blue background. The first shows young dancers in a circle, moving in a dance studio. The second shows a group of people sitting cross legged on the pavement in a circle. They interact with eachother as one holds up a mobile phone to take a picture. The Culturl Bridge logo is displayed in the top right, and the TIN Arts and Perform[d]ance logos are shown in the bottom left.

21/10/2025

It’s been over a month since IncludFEST, and we wanted to share some of the wonderful feedback from those who came!

We’re so grateful for everyone’s support — especially after our last-minute change of venue.

Thank you to all our attendees and providers for making the day a huge success.

Special thanks to Spennymoor Town Council Durham County Council and Durham University for making the day possible! 💜

Image Description:

Image 1: A child in a crafted space suit leans across a table drawing on a large sheet. In the top left the following text is displayed: One month since IncludFEST 2025. What did you think?

Image 2:
A strip of several photos, including: a group of dancers lifting a younger dancer as they stretch their arms upwards; a dancer with arms outstretched like they’re flying, lifted on another dancer’s shoulder; and a dancer with one hand on their hip and the other pointing upwards, bent at the elbow, looking toward their index finger. Text reads: Thank you to our attendees who gave our performances an average rating of 4.84 out of 5!

Image 3: Polaroid photos are shown. One shows a young child with pigtails wearing a TIN Arts T-shirt. They dance with their arms out to the sides and feet apart. The second shows a workshop leader in a blue T-shirt holding some material, and a BSL interpreter.. In front of them is a table with mushrooms and a brick made of natural material. Children sit around the table looking at the workshop leader. Text reads: We were thrilled to see workshops rated 4.6 out of 5 by attendees!

Image 4: Polaroid photos are shown. One shows a child in a crafted space suit with their thumbs up. Another shows 2 young people drawing on a large sheet. Text reads: attendees rated our drop-in sessions a fantastic 4.67 out of 5!

Image 5: A strip of several photos is shown, including: A dance artist leading a workshop smiling; a child sitting cross legged watching a performance; and a performer interacting with the audience. Text reads: 93% of attendees said they would like to join us at future events!

08/10/2025

29/09/2025

Bella, Kieran, Tess and Martin had a wonderful weekend in Germany working with young people and the leaders from Perform[d]ance preparing, planning and filming as part of our Cultural Bridge project. Find out more about our plans here:

https://www.cultural-bridge.info/projects/2025-2026/north-east-moves/

This project is funded by Cultural Bridge, which celebrates bilateral artistic partnerships between the UK and Germany through the collaboration between Arts Council England, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, British Council, Creative Scotland, Fonds Soziokultur, Goethe-Institut London and Wales Arts International / Arts Council of Wales.
https://www.cultural-bridge.info/

Arts Council EnglandhArts Council of Northern IrelandhBritish CouncilhCreative ScotlandhFonds Soziokultur e.V.hGoethe-Institut LondonhWales Arts International - Celfyddydau Rhyngwladol CymruhCyngor Celfyddydau Cymru | Arts Council of Wales
Image Description: A collage of 4 images. 3 of the images show people dancing along metal tracks outside, holding their arms out. They wear casual clothes and are in front of a large blue wall. One of the images shows agroup of people sitting around a large rectangular dinner table, smiling towards the camera. The images are on a blue background, and the logo for Cultural Bridge, TIN Arts and Perform[d]ance are shown.

22/09/2025

🚀 Mission Accomplished! 🚀

A HUGE thank you to everyone who joined us at IncludFEST 2025 💜

You helped make the day truly amazing — full of fun, creativity, and community spirit.

We’d love to hear what you thought of the festival! 🌟 If you haven't already, please take a few minutes to fill in our evaluation form here:

👉 https://forms.office.com/e/yM66ULPH8y

Your feedback helps us make IncludFEST even better for the future.

Photo Credit: Zemap Video Production

Image Description:
Image 1: An photograph of a child in a space suit crfted from overalls and paper with drawings on the helmet. They face the camera, smiling with their thumbs up. Text overlay reads 'IncludFEST 2025. Mission Accomplished. Thank you for coming! Don't forget to tell us what you thought of the day: Link in captions. There is a drawn image of a rocket on the right hand side, and logos for TIN Arts, Spennymoor Town Council, Into the Light, Durham University, Durham County Council and Arts Council England.

Image 2: A dancer wearing a pink shirt and black trousers performs in front of an audience.

Image 3: A performer wearing a black dress and leggings presents a tray of colourful scrolls to a young audience member, who selects one from the tray.

Image 4: A child with pink glasses is drawing with a marker while looking up at an adult next to them. The adult is also drawing on the large white sheet.

Image 5:
A dancer wearing black clothes and white trainers is smiling and spreading their arms wide while standing on the stage area.

Image 6:
A performer wearing blue dungarees and a bobble hat crouches down, holding a yellow scarf in one hand, and pointing to a child's jumper with the other. The child smiles and reaches for the scarf. There are more scarves on the floor and other audience members gathered around.

19/09/2025

📅 Revised Programme & Timetable – IncludFEST 2025 📅

IncludFEST is now taking place inside the Town Hall this Saturday, with a new event time of 12pm – 4pm.

Here's the revised programme and timetable for all activities in the different zones. Everything will be clearly signposted, and friendly stewards will be there to guide you.

We can’t wait to welcome you!

18/09/2025

BREAKING NEWS: INCLUDFEST ANNOUNCES CHANGE OF VENUE ☔

Many of you may have been keeping up to date with the weather forecast ahead of the event this weekend and spotted that it looks like being very wet!
After a 'yellow rain warning' was issued today (Thursday) by the Met Office for Spennymoor this Saturday, we have no option but to make alternative plans to try and make sure the event goes ahead.

A key partner for IncludFEST 2025 is the Spennymoor Town Council and they have very generously made the Town Hall available for the day meaning that IncludFEST can happen!

We are working frantically to adapt the programme of performances and activities from an outdoor setting to an indoor venue and this does mean that some changes may be necessary.
We will publish a revised programme by 14:00 on Friday 19th September.

If you are considering attending, please be assured that:
*BSL interpretation will still be available
*AccessoLoo will also be in attendance
*The venue is fully accessible with a working lift
*Sound levels will be managed across the venue and ear defenders will be available

For any enquiries please contact us on 0300 124 0448.

PLEASE SHARE THE NEWS AND REPOST! This is Durham

17/09/2025

💚 A festival without barriers 💚

We’ve worked hard to make sure IncludFEST is accessible so all families can enjoy the day together. From ear defenders and quiet spaces, to sensory shuttles, BSL interpretation and wheelchair-friendly paths — there’s lots in place to help you feel welcome and supported.

📅 Saturday 20 September
📍 Victoria Jubilee Park, Spennymoor
🕛 12pm – 5pm
✨ Free

Image Description:
Two images with share information about access features at IncludFEST. Each section has text alongside small icons.

Image 1:
Info Point
At the IncludFEST info point you can find more information about the festival. Come and see us if you have questions or need help. This is also the lost children point.

Accessoloo
We have an accessible toilet with hoist and changing bed on-site. Please bring your own sling if you wish to use the hoist.

Amplified Music
In our performance area music and sound will be played through a PA system. We try not to make it too loud.

Ear Defenders
We have ear defenders you can borrow at the IncludFEST Info Point.

Quieter Spaces
There are lots of quiet spaces in the park away from the IncludFEST activities.

First Aid
If you hurt yourself or feel unwell, ask for our first aiders.

Image 2:
Sensory Shuttle
There is a sensory shuttle available to use throughout the day. This is a converted van with sensory equipment for those who need a space to regulate or play.

Private Box
The private box is a gazebo you can book for half an hour to do an arts and crafts activity in a private space away from the crowds. We will bring the activity to you. You can reserve the private box at the IncludFEST Info Point.

Wheelchair Accessibility
IncludFEST is a wheelchair accessible event. The paths in Victoria Jubilee Park are well maintained. There are some gentle slopes.

BSL Interpretation
Our interpreters Jenna and Caroline are at IncludFEST. The BSL timetable will be released ahead of the event.

IncludFEST Team
The IncludFEST team are wearing hi vis jackets or lanyards. They can answer any questions you have and help you find activities.

17/09/2025

✨ Ready to dance?

GeTIN2Dance is a fun, innovative daytime training programme for adults with a learning disability or who are autistic.

Build skills. Make friends. Feel the joy of movement. 💃🕺

Contact us today to find out more or to book your free taster session:

📧 info@tinarts.co.uk
📞 0300 124 0448

Image description:

A group of four adults wearing bright bandanas dance together on stage, smiling and lifting their arms. The text on the image says: “GeTIN2 Dance. Daytime dance training programme for adults with a learning disability or who are autistic. TINArts.”