Mon 16 Mar, 11:30am-1:30pm

Institute of Thrifty Ideas, 9 Silver Street
Stockton-on-Tees
TS18 1SX

Free workshop, booking required, (limited spaces available)

The Tees Valley Writers’ Room is back! On Monday 16th March, Jonny Aldrige and Carmen Marcus shall be leading the session at 11:30pm-1:30pm at the Institute of Thrifty Ideas. Join other local writers for our second workshop – an interactive group-crit session to share your writing and receive friendly feedback and encouragement.

The loose theme for the session is ‘voice’: bring a short reading of your fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction (or anything else!) and we’ll delve into what makes your writing distinctively yours. The workshop is aimed at established writers looking to hone their craft, rather than beginners; if you’re unsure whether to attend, please just enquire on details below.

Numbers are limited to ensure we have time for all attendees’ readings. Writers are invited to bring up to one page of text (size 12, double-spaced).

Creative Babes Club: Crafty Wellbeing Workshop

Thu 5 Mar, 1:30pm-3:30pm

ARC, Stockton, 60 Dovecot Street, TS18 1LL

Free workshop (booking required)

Alice, Creative Babes Club founder, is hosting a Crafty Wellbeing Workshop for The Freelancer Network...

Bookmark Collaging - Using preloved magazines, papers, textiles and more, collage your own cute n' creatively therapeutic Bookmark for your TBR pile! Come along and fill up your cup, creative babes.

Thursday 5th March 1:30pm (2 hours)

Beginner-friendly. Tools, Materials and Pop Babe Playlist provided.

Spaces are limited so book your space today!

Thu 26 Feb, 1:30pm-3.30pm
ARC, Stockton, 60 Dovecot Street, TS18 1LL
Free workshop (booking required)

This practical workshop is for creative freelancers who want to create authentic social media content without feeling salesy or forced. Led by Social Media Pro Emma Trotter, Marketing Mentor for The Freelancer Network, you’ll learn how to turn the everyday work behind your business into engaging content.

You’ll learn how to:

Spot content ideas in your creative process

Share in-progress work with confidence

Use simple storytelling techniques that stop the scroll

Build connection and consistency, not just likes

Your process is the story, let’s make it work for you. 

Craft Climate Cafe

Tues 10 Feb, 6:30pm–8pm
Institute of Thrifty Ideas, 9 Silver Street, Stockton, TS20 1SX

An informal, monthly, volunteer-led drop-in space for chatting about climate (and everything else!) taking place every second Tuesday of the month while working on our own reuse/recycle crafting projects.

During this session we will be turning unloved jumpers into fun cushions. Please bring along an unused jumper to take part in this activity. All other materials provided, and kindly donated by a member of the group.

Want to come along but don’t fancy making a cushion? No problem, bring along your own creative project and join in the conversation still.

Mon 2 Feb, 1pm – 2:30pm, ARC, Stockton

This in-person workshop with Achates Senior Consultant Phoebe Walker will explore how you can build sustainability into your work as an independent artist or creative practitioner. We’ll think about ‘portfolio’ careers, as well as opportunities to generate income from your work, both through grants and other forms of funding, and commercial opportunities.

Within this, we’ll also talk about the importance of balance and reflection, including strategies for remaining aligned with your core purpose and creative manifesto.

Fri 30 Jan, 4:30pm - 6.30pm, The Hullabaloo, Borough Road, Darlington

Free, booking required.

Join us at Theatre Hullabaloo for an inspiring artist networking event with acclaimed theatremaker Daniel Naddafy.  

This informal conversation is an opportunity for local artists, practitioners and producers to:

Hear about Daniel’s process and projects, including First Light, Glisten and his new work In the Heart of the Nest (Philharmonie Luxembourg, 2026).

Connect with other creatives working across theatre, dance and sensory arts for children and families.

Exchange ideas, make new contacts and be part of a growing community of early years artists in the Tees Valley

This is a fantastic opportunity for those already creating work for babies or are curious about further exploring work for our youngest audiences.

Sat 24 Jan, 2pm - 4.30pm, Stockton Baptist Church

This practical, playful session will introduce you to the kinds of work we create and the values that shape our approach. It’s also a chance for us to meet performers from across the Tees Valley and the North East, discover new talent, and explore future collaborations for our growing programme.

Whether you’re an actor, street performer, circus artist, dancer, musician, or a multi-disciplinary maker of magic, we’d love to meet you.

Learn about the Institute of Thrifty Ideas and upcoming opportunities
Take part in a fun, hands-on creative workshop
Share your skills, ideas and energy
Connect with the Festival of Thrift team and other local performers

If you’re passionate about creating joyful, socially conscious, thrifty art in unexpected places, this workshop is for you.

Sat 24 Jan, 10am - 1pm, Stockton Baptist Church, Free for Network Members

You’re invited to step into a movement workshop with artist TC Howard that reimagines the everyday rules and invites you to experience yourself—and one another—differently.

Together, we’ll explore:

- How to build an environment where everyone feels ownership and belonging
- What it means to create both a safe space and a brave space
- The kind of culture we want to cultivate when we move, imagine, and create as a collective

Tue 13 Jan, 6.30pm - 8pm, Institute of Thrifty Ideas, 9 Silver Street, Stockton-on-Tees

An informal, monthly, drop-in space for chatting about climate (and everything else!) taking place every second Tuesday of the month while working on our own reuse/recycle crafting projects.

Hosted by Kirsten Luckins, Judith Crompton and Festival of Thrift.

Tues 2 Dec, 6pm-9pm, Culture Kitchen, ARC, Stockton

Join us for an evening of connection and celebration with fellow freelance creatives. Enjoy mini talks showcasing some of the network’s exciting new projects and initiatives, a festive buffet, and a look back at our first year as The Freelancer Network. 

Mon 24 Nov, 10am-5pm, ARC, Stockton

Develop your facilitation skills in this free one-day course by The Freelancer Network.

Led by theatre directors and facilitators Amy Golding and Jonluke McKie, this one day facilitator training course will focus on how to create a sense of welcome for diverse participants and co-creators, how to structure and deliver sessions and programmes of creative participatory work through a values-led facilitation approach. It is a chance to reflect on your own style, practice and ambitions as a facilitator.

The course will be an opportunity to spend time and learn together with a diverse group of facilitators with a mix of lived experience. Whether you are very new to facilitation or have been working as a facilitator for decades this course is for you, it is an opportunity to reflect on your practise and your ambitions as well as pick up some practical skills and have a lot of fun playing together. This session is suitable for facilitators or budding facilitators working in any artform.

FREE event. Weds 12 Nov, 12pm - 3pm, The Auxiliary, Middlesbrough

Hosted by The Freelancer Network in partnership with Achates Fundraising and The Auxiliary

With the next round of Arts Council England’s Developing Your Creative Practice (DYCP) grants opening in Spring 2026, now is a great time to start thinking about your approach, and laying the groundwork for a strong application. Join us for a free workshop designed to help artists, makers, and creative practitioners unlock funding opportunities and strengthen their applications. We’ll be looking at DYCP and other Arts Council England funding opportunities, including the newly-announced Research and Development (R&D) fund. 

Thurs 30 Oct, 11am-1pm, ARC, Stockton

Free, places limited, booking required.

Join us for an interactive group-crit workshop for established writers. The session will provide feedback on your work in progress and prepare your writing for publication. 

The session is tailored towards writers of long and short fiction and creative non-fiction, though writers of poetry, hybrid and other forms are welcome. It is designed for mid-career writers with publication history, looking to hone their craft and reach the next level in their career. All participants will be expected to share a short extract and receive feedback.

The workshop is jointly led by author, poet and creative practitioner Carmen Marcus, and writer and The Freelancer Network PR mentor Jonny Aldridge.

Weds 22 Oct, 2pm - 3.30pm, Online

This online workshop with Achates Senior Consultant Phoebe Walker will explore the bedrock of successful fundraising: how to build effective relationships with funders and other potential supporters of your work. We'll look at tips and strategies for brokering meaningful connections, and think about how to develop the authentic relationships and networks which best reflect you, your work, and your values.

Tues 14 Oct, 5.30pm - 8.30pm, ARC, Stockton

Free, booking required

What does it mean to be a proud ally – not just in words, but in action?

This session led by Curious Arts, is a practical, open and affirming introduction to LGBTQIA+ allyship. Whether you’re just getting started or want to build more confidence in your allyship, this is a space to learn, ask questions and think deeply about what inclusive practice really looks like.

We’ll cover the Equality Act, inclusive language, lived experience, intersectionality and the importance of creating safe, supportive spaces for LGBTQIA+ people in our creative and community work. You don’t need to be an expert. You just need to be open, respectful and ready to learn.

Sat 20 Sept, 5.30pm, John Whitehead Park, Billingham

To all Creative Freelancers, we invite you to join us for a relaxed outdoor arts networking event at our Artist Gathering at this year's Festival of Thrift. This is a perfect opportunity for anyone interested in outdoor arts and in meeting (inter)national and regional artists, companies, producers and programmers.

Thurs 4 Sept, 6pm-10pm, ARC, Stockton

The summer holidays are winding down, the kids are back at school, and it's time to ease back into work mode - but not before one last celebration. Join us for an evening of good food, great company, and creative connection.

We’re bringing the network together for a laid-back evening of good food, good music and even better company. We’ll start with a shared meal and plenty of chat, then wind down with drinks and a DJ to ease us back into the swing of things.

Weds 27 Aug, 1-3pm, Gisborough Priory

Join us for a relaxed shared Summer picnic in the great outdoors.

Bring a little bite to share with the group. The picnic is an invitation for some peer-to-peer conversations in a relaxing environment while doing a mindful activity involving dried flowers. 

Weds 30 July, 10am– 11:30am, Online

An impact-led approach to raising funds from individuals.

This online workshop with Achates Senior Consultant Phoebe Walker will explore raising funds from individuals, with a focus on crowdfunding. We’ll look at when and how you might launch a campaign; how to centre the impact you’ll create at the heart of your message; how to structure and manage a campaign; and – most importantly – how you can most effectively ask other people to donate.

Description goes herWeds 23 July, 10am - 1pm, ARC, Stockon

Free, booking required

Ready to level up your Instagram game? This practical workshop is designed for cultural and creative freelancers who want to create engaging, professional-looking Reels — even with just a phone.

We’ll cover:

·       Trending sounds & ideal video lengths

·       Storytelling & voiceovers

·       Creative inspiration & audience building

·       Hands-on Reels creation you can post right away

Bring your phone, props related to your work, and your creativity — we’ll provide tripods, mini mics, and all the support you need to make Reels you’re proud of. Let’s make some Instagram magic!

Weds 16 July, 6pm-8pm, Pinapple Black, Middlesbrough

FREE, booking required

Hosted by our partners at The Auxiliary

Join us for an insightful evening led by Artist of the Year, Will Hughes, exploring the essentials of project management and exhibition installation. Perfect for emerging artists and creatives, this hands-on session will cover practical skills and tips.

Tues 15 July, 1pm-3.30pm, ARC, Stockon

FREE event, booking required

In a world where disabled, Deaf, neurodivergent, and people with chronic health conditions play a bigger role in arts and culture, and where 25% of the population consists of disabled people, it makes sense for your work to reach the biggest possible audience and for you to ensure you get a positive reputation as a practitioner for being as inclusive as possible.

This informative and participatory session is delivered with warm support – no one should be afraid of using the wrong language or terms and can ask any questions no matter how small. By the end of the session, you will know much more, and you’ll feel more confident in making your work more accessible. Sometimes its just about knowing where to start.

Vici Wreford-Sinnott has delivered this training across the world and is known for creating a warm and supportive environment, whilst providing tangible take aways for artists.

Tues 15 July, 6:30pm-8:30pm

FREE, booking required

Hosted by our partners at Festival of Thrift

In this engaging and interactive session, we will delve into methods of community building and co-creation within performance and public art.

This workshop will be guided by the award-winning artist David Shearing, the founder art studio Variable Matter. David Shearing’s extensive experience will provide valuable insights into the social and ethical dimensions involved in the creation of community placemaking projects. Throughout the session, participants will have the opportunity to examine various techniques and strategies that foster collaboration and inclusivity in art practice, ensuring that community voices are represented in meaningful ways. By integrating these principles, artists and practitioners can create impactful works that resonate with the communities they engage with.

Variable Matter will present their latest work World Kiosk - bringing the world a little bit closer at Festival of Thrift in Billingham on 20 & 21 September 2025.

For more information about Variable Matter and David Shearing’s work, please visit www.variablematter.com

Thurs 10 July, 10am-12pm, ARC, Stockton

Free, booking required.

Appearing in the media is a guaranteed to get you noticed. But what’s your ‘news hook’? How do you ‘sell-in’ a story? And who do you want to get noticed by anyway?

Channel your best Patsy and Eddie from Ab Fab in this interactive workshop, as we demystify the world of PR and media.

Here’s what to expect:

Learn about the four types of media

Discover how the dark arts of journalism and PR work

Consider what the right approach is for you as a freelancer

Instant media coverage not guaranteed

The workshop is led by writer and PR pro Jonny Aldridge, who is a marketing mentor for The Freelancer Network.

Thurs 26 Jun, 1pm, ARC workshop

Upcycle & Yap: Paint a Frame

A creative meetup for Tees Valley freelancers looking to hit pause, unwind, and reconnect with their creative wellbeing. 

Join The Freelancer Network for a relaxed, hands-on session where you’ll upcycle a preloved picture frame and chat with fellow creatives who get the freelance journey. It’s not just about painting—it’s about switching off, making something with your hands, and building real connections with others navigating similar paths. 

The session is facilitated by Alice from Creative Babes Club—artist, freelancer, and once-burnt-out creative—who’ll guide you through a mindful, playful creative process while opening up space for honest conversation around ambition, burnout, and the realities of freelance life. 

Leave with a one-of-a-kind frame, some new freelance pals and a refreshed creative headspace 

All materials are provided by The Freelancer Network—just bring yourself. 

Weds 25 Jun, 10.30am, The Northern School of Art, Hartlepool Campus

Future Ready: Digital Support Day for Creative and Cultural Freelancers

Are you a creative or cultural freelancer ready to explore how digital tools can support and grow your practice?

Join us for a free event where you'll hear from experts and find out what support is available to help you make the most of digital—whether in your creative work or your freelance business.

What to expect:

· Find out where to access free support and resources to help improve your digital skills, from marketing and social media through to content creation, website development and ecommerce.

· Explore the opportunities and challenges of working with AI as a freelancer and what this might mean for the organisations you're working with

· Discuss how you include access and environmental considerations in your digital activities.

· Learn about funding opportunities for making digital immersive art

· A welcoming space to ask questions and make new connections.

Hosted by The Freelancer Network in partnership with Arts Council England, Northern School of Art, The Space, Digital Cultural Network, and Tees Valley Combined Authority.

Thurs 12 June, The Auxilliary, Middlesbrough

Free event, booking required.

Join us at Pineapple Black next Thursday 12 June for a freelancer social! We invite you to come along and meet the team behind The Auxiliary and Middlesbrough Art Week.

Do you have something you want to share with us? Something to promote or want some feedback? We will have 5-minute slots available on the night for people to share with the group and gain feedback. If that's not your thing, come along for some food and chat!

Tues 10 June, 10 – 11.30am, ARC, Stockton

Free, booking required.

A hands-on interactive workshop to help you nail your elevator pitch.

We’ll dig into the key elements of your work as a freelancer, explore who you’re talking to and why, and help you work up a succinct summary. It’s a fun and interesting process, whether you’re new to this or have already been around the block.

Participants will leave with their elevator pitch nailed, and ready to go when asked that dreaded question: "So, what do you do?"

The workshop is led by writer and PR pro Jonny Aldridge, who is a marketing mentor for The Freelancer Network.

Thurs 5 June, 10am-12pm, Pinapple Black, Middlesbrough

FREE, Booking required

Hosted by our partners at The Auxiliary

This training session will focus on marketing and communications design and practices from an artist-led festival perspective covering copywriting, visual storytelling, documentation, web-based and printed matter methods of connecting with audiences.

Light Lunch provided please let us know if you have any other dietary requirements. You are also welcome to bring your own lunch or go out for lunch.

Wed 4 Jun, 12pm, ARC, Stockton

Free, booking required.

Fundraising experts Achates are working with The Freelancer Network to deliver a series of workshops, 1:1 advice surgeries, and hackathon-style sessions. These aim to support creative freelancers in the Tees Valley to build their skills, knowledge, and confidence in shaping, articulating, and fundraising for creative and cultural projects, both individually and collaboratively.

Schedule for the Event: 

Lunch and Network – 12pm – 12.30pm

Workshop – 12.30pm – 2pm

Network – 2pm – 2.30pm

This in-person workshop with Achates Senior Consultant Phoebe Walker will look at the nuts and bolts of bid-writing and proposal development for two key types of grantmaker: statutory funders, and Trusts and Foundations. We’ll look at the application process for statutory funders including Arts Council England and the National Lottery Community Fund, and general guidance and top tips for approaching independent Trusts and Foundations.

Tues 3 Jun, 10am-12pm, ARC, Stockton

FREE, Booking required

Know you need to be on social media for your business, but feel lost when it comes to what to post, where to post it and how to grow?

Feeling unsure how to bring all your never ending thoughts and ideas into an actual plan?

If feeling lost with all the options for your business and how it shows up online sounds familiar, this Discovery Workshop is for you!

What you get;

● Starting with a blank page and ending up with a plan!

● In person audit of existing social presence and audience

● Mapping out the purpose of your social presence and desired goals

● Selecting the best platforms for your brand

● Creation of content focus

These sessions guide creative business owners, helping them focus on how to harness social media in the best way for their brand, how to create the type of content they want to share and most of all how to free themselves from the limitations of procrastination paralysis that so many of them feel.

The workshop is led by writer and Social Media Pro Emma Trotter, who is a marketing mentor for The Freelancer Network.

Thurs 15 May, 4pm - 6pm, Tees Valley Arts, Redcar

Free entry, refreshments available and no booking required.

Redcar Palace is delighted to host a wellbeing event on Thursday 15th May.

Join us to get to know creatives in the area, explore our current exhibition ‘In The Studio’ and get messy with a ‘Tonne of Clay’!

Hosted by our partners at Theatre Hullabaloo

Tues 20 May, 5pm - 7pm

Free event, booking required

We're inviting artists to join us for an evening of creativity, connection and relaxation!

Come and join us in our magical creative play space, Fairytale Forest, here at The Hullabaloo. As part of the The Freelancer Network, we’re holding space for you to reset in a calm, creative environment, featuring mindfulness music led by Theatre Hullabaloo’s Associate Artist, musician Bridie Jackson. 

You’ll have the opportunity to take part in simple breathing exercises, gentle singing in rounds, and call-and-response activities, designed to leave you feeling calm, connected, and inspired. Afterward, continue the conversation over drinks and nibbles in our welcoming café space. 

Come as you are – it’s a chance to pause, play, and reconnect with your creative self and your freelance community. 

Wed 14 May, 10am, ARC, Stockton

Free event, booking required

Join us for a free co-working session on Wednesday 14th May 2025, from 10am-4pm. No daunting networking here - just a relaxed meet up with other lone or home workers.

This session is in collaboration with Billy No Mates, a fantastic co-working community.

Hosted by our partners at ARC.

Mon 28 Apr, 10am, ARC, Stockton

This one day workshop is an introduction to the key concepts at the heart of Spymonkey’s Theatre of Funny. We believe that everyone can be funny in their own unique way, and that the best theatre is one that embraces this quality in its artists. With the emphasis on supporting a space that is accessible, supportive and safe for all to laugh, we will use our favourite games and exercises as practical illustrations, to create belly-laughter with games and improv exercises (the sometimes scary pleasure of saying ‘yes’ to the unknown), explore practical concepts such as ‘finding the game’, the importance of complicity, or fixed point, of playing together with our friends, and of sharing that particular quality of Funny that you and only you can be.

From enthusiastic newcomers and performing arts students to emerging artists and seasoned pros, we welcome all experience levels and everyone in between.

Wed 26 Mar, 10am, Online

Free, booking required.

Fundraising experts Achates is working with The Freelancer Network to deliver a series of workshops, 1:1 advice surgeries, and hackathon-style sessions. These aim to support creative freelancers in the Tees Valley to build their skills, knowledge, and confidence in shaping, articulating, and fundraising for creative and cultural projects, both individually and collaboratively.

This online workshop with Achates Senior Consultant Phoebe Walker will delve into the fundraising landscape, supporting you to understand the different types of funding resources available and how they operate. We’ll also look at the research methods you can use to find funders, and how to develop your own list of prospects and a plan for approaching

Creative Affirmation Collaging with Creative Babes Club Alice.

Thurs 20 March, 1-3pm, ARC, Stockton

Free, booking required

Join Alice from Creative Babes Club for a fun and creative workshop!

Creative Babes Club is all about nurturing your creative wellbeing, sparking new ideas, and expanding your creative circles. Hosted by Alice, the founder of the club, this hands-on session invites you to explore the power of collage using preloved magazines. You’ll create your own ‘creative affirmation’ artwork—an inspiring, personal piece to fuel your creative journey.

Come along, unleash your creativity, connect with like-minded creatives, and leave feeling inspired and recharged.

Let’s get creative and fill up our cups together!

Hosted by our partners at Theatre Hullabaloo.

Thurs 20 March, 5pm - 7.30pm, Theatre Hullabaloo, Darlington

Join Theatre Hullabaloo for some networking & nibbles, and to hear about Theatre Hullabaloo’s Artist Development work and opportunities, followed a viewing of The Bench by Danish theatre company, Teater Refleksion.

The show will be followed by a Q&A session with the company, offering a chance to learn about new innovative approaches to the art of puppetry and making work for young audiences. You will have the opportunity to participate in an open conversation around their work and have the space to network with other local artists.

This event is for theatre artists/professionals interested in making work for young audiences, or with an interest in puppetry.

Hosted by Tees Valley Arts and Redcar Council

Thurs 27 Feb, 10am - 4pm, Tees Valley Arts, Redcar

Free, booking required.

Every last Thursday of the month, Tees Valley Arts and Redcar Council are teaming up to provide a welcoming, supportive space for artists and creatives seeking advice and guidance. Whether you're navigating the challenges of your creative journey or need a helping hand with your next project, we're here to support you.

Book a 45-minute slot, and you’ll have the opportunity to chat with James and Aphra from Tees Valley Arts or Daniel from Redcar Council, who will be available to answer your questions, offer expert advice, and point you towards the right resources and contacts to help you succeed (we can't promise to fix that budget formula, but we’ll certainly try!).

Hosted by our partners ARC.

Thurs 20 Feb, 2pm, ARC, Stockton

Get ready to dive into a transformative experience! We’re thrilled to announce a special opportunity for North East-based artists to join a hands-on workshop in collaboration with the upcoming Driftwood production by ThickSkin and Pentabus, written by Tim Foley.

Led by ThickSkin’s Artistic Director, Neil Bettles, this workshop will focus on devising and physical theatre techniques. Participants will explore innovative methods to create original work, guided by exercises designed to spark new ideas and fuel your artistic practice.

Workshop One: Theory of Change and Working with Purpose

Thurs 30 Jan 2025, 2pm-3.30pm, ARC, Stockton. Free event

This first in-person workshop with Achates Senior Consultant Phoebe Walker will explore how you can develop a Theory of Change for your project or practice, articulating the approach you’re using to bring about a specific change, and who this change is for.  This is the first step to demonstrating – to funders and others – that your work is purpose driven, enables real impact, and deserves investment.

DescWeds 15 Jan 10AM

Hosted by our partners Curious Arts.

The tax return deadline is creeping up, but who says tax returns have to be a solo, stress-filled mission? Join us for a day that’s equal parts productive and fun—a Tax Return Party designed to help you finally tackle that tax return you may have been putting off!

Fri 24 Jan 10AM - 4PM

Join us for a free co-working session on Friday 24th January 2025, from 10am-4pm. We’ll share ideas and experiences over a coffee during this relaxed session. No daunting networking here!

This session is part of a fantastic new programme, Tees Valley Creates, designed to connect local freelancers.

Tue 17 Dec 6-9PM

This Christmas, we’re bringing together freelancers from all walks of life for a night of joy, connection, and celebration! Come and meet you freelancer friends, make new ones and celebrate your 2024. Indulge in delicious food and festive drinks, enjoy live music, and connect with fellow freelancers who understand the unique journey of working independently. Share your successes from 2024 and toast to an exciting 2025 ahead!oes here

Wed 13 Nov 6-9PM

The Freelancer Network, a new programme designed to connect, support and develop creative freelancers born, living or working in the Tees Valley.  Please join us for the launch event on Wednesday 13th November, at The Theatre, ARC, Stockton. The event will feature two dynamic panel discussions and plenty of opportunities to connect and network.