Formed in 2000 The Forge is a highly efficient, ambitious cultural organisation at the leading edge of participatory practice for children and young people. The Forge has established a national reputation for developing participatory arts work of the highest standard with children and young people.

Our expertise is in developing high quality participatory arts and cultural projects with children and young people, artists, cultural organisations and educators as part of a regular programme of work throughout County Durham, Sunderland, nationally and internationally. We work with children, young people, artists and other practitioners to develop practice across the sectors. We develop skills, capacity and vision through training, development and creative programmes to ensure that our work goes far beyond a project based approach, embedding sustainable practice for children and young people. We have excellent long term partnerships with the arts and cultural sector, the education and learning sector and, in particular, with Durham and Sunderland local authorities.

Our mission is to create participatory arts programmes that are courageous, contemporary and excellent. We make artistic and cultural experiences that inspire young people to become successful, confident individuals playing an active part in the nation’s cultural life. Our leadership supports a dynamic process that enables artists from all disciplines to create meaningful and challenging artwork with participatory practice at its heart.

Our diverse work is underpinned by our ability to develop highly successful relationships with artists, young people, their families and communities; and by our desire to work with them in exciting, fresh and innovative ways that stimulate and challenge all of those involved. This is possible because of our deep understanding of the nature of participatory arts and the demands it makes on artists and participants; our commitment to nurturing and growing the participatory arts talent pool; and our ability to sustain strong networks within the arts, cultural and education sectors across the north east, nationally and internationally.

If you would like a hardcopy of our brochure sharing case studies of our work then please email enquiries@intheforge.com or download our brochure for further information about our programme.