Upcoming events
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Billy No Mates x The Freelancer Network Co-working
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.
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'In the Studio' Party
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’!
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Freelancer Chillabaloo
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.
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Creative Advice Thursdays
Hosted by Tees Valley Arts and Redcar Council
Thurs 22 May, 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!).
Spaces are limited so book your space today!
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Lunch & Learn: Developing Funding Proposals Workshop
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.
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1:1 Fundraising Surgeries (online)
1:1 fundraising surgery (online)
30-minute slots with a fundraising expert
Free, booking required.
Speak to Acates expert Phoebe and you can delve a bit more deeply into the themes of our workshop, discuss your specific project or funding application, or chat through anything else you’d like some expert support with.
To book please email tvcreates@arconline.co.uk
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Creative Wellbeing Workshop: Upcycle & Yap
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.
Past events
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Spy Monkey Clowning Workshop
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.
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Funders, and Where to Find Them Workshop (online)
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
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Creative Wellbeing Workshop
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!
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Networking, Nibbles & New Work
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.
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Creative Advice Thursdays
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!).
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Thick Skin Artist Workshop
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.
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Fundraising Workshop: Theory of Change and Working with Purpose
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.
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Tax Return Party
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!
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Billy No Mates x The Freelancer Network Co-working
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.
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The Freelancer Festive Social
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
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Launch Event
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.
