Cultivate Commissions 2026–2027 will support individual creative practitioners to collaborate with communities across County Durham.

The project aims to strengthen local creativity and nurture a sense of pride within the county’s diverse communities.

Cultivate Commissions provide space for creative practitioners to work closely with a community or group(s), taking time to listen, build relationships, and understand local needs. The commissions encourage practitioners to explore how creativity can support people to express their ideas, develop confidence, and shape the conditions that allow creativity to thrive.

CULTIVATE COMMISSIONS 2026

APPLICATIONS OPEN

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APPLY NOW

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APPLICATIONS OPEN

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APPLY NOW

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APPLICATIONS OPEN 📨 APPLY NOW 📨 APPLICATIONS OPEN 📨 APPLY NOW 📨

The 2026/2027 Cultivate Commissions are open to individual creative practitioners living and/or working in County Durham (who have not previously received a Cultivate Commission).

Alongside the Cultivate Commissions, there will be opportunities to connect with other strands of Into The Light, such as the Skills Hub hosted by Beamish Museum, and Light Years delivered by Durham University.

There are 20 commission opportunities available, to each facilitate a creative project working with an identified community group.

Each commission offers £3,900 alongside a programme of activity to support awarded practitioners to implement, document and celebrate their project. There will be opportunities for practitioners to come together, share ideas and consider how they might apply learning to enhance their own creative practice.  

KEY INFO

Who can apply?

Both emerging and experienced creative practitioners living and/or working in County Durham are eligible to apply. 

Practitioners who received a Cultivate Commission in the 2024/25 round are not eligible to apply.

HOW TO APPLY

The full Application Guidance is available here

The Application Form is available here

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

Monday 29 June 12.00 (noon) 

Please submit your application to: Info@northernheartlands.org

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

  • A selection panel will meet in July 2026 

  • Successful applicants will be informed by 24th July 2026 

  • Agreements will be issued soon after this date so planning can begin early August 2026

  • Activity will take place between August 2026 and December 2026 

  • Successful applicants will be required monitor and evaluate the process and attend a number of networking and sharing sessions throughout the timeline of the project, including a celebration event in February 2027. 

CULTIVATE IDEAS EVENTS

 team are hosting a series of online and in person information and sharing events, where the team will share information on the project, it aims, the application process, and timeframes. The in-person events will also include activities designed to facilitate conversations about creativity and community engagement. 

These events will take place on:

  • Monday 11 May 2026 online – 14.00- 15.30 - link here

  • Wednesday 13 May 2026 in-person venue TBC – 14.30-16.30

  • Friday 12 June 2026 online – 14.00 -15.30 LINK HERE

  • Friday 19 June 2026 in-person venue TBC – 14.30-16.30

These events can be booked via the Eventbrite links here