NewBridge Gallery is now closed until Friday 16 October.
You can join us on 5 September and 3 October for Saturday Social. You can still shop NewBridge Books throughout the weekdays!
The NewBridge Project has been awarded Gallery of Sanctuary status, acknowledging our work supporting people who have lived experience of seeking sanctuary in Newcastle upon Tyne.
“We’re delighted to be recognised as a Gallery of Sanctuary for the work we do to create a welcoming and inclusive space here at NewBridge,” said Rebecca Huggan, Director of The NewBridge Project. “Shieldfield is an amazing place, and since relocating here, we’ve co-created a range of programmes in response to people’s needs and interests. Alongside our local partners, we will keep creating inclusive opportunities and programmes with our communities – the friends and neighbours who are making Shieldfield a great place to live and work.”
Image credit: Matt Denham, Home-rearing
Image credit: Victoria Doyle, Tigist Teen at Enkutatash
Gallery of Sanctuary status is given to galleries and other arts organisations who actively support asylum seekers, refugees, and others with lived experience of forced migration. We are one of only three galleries in the North East to be recognised for this national award, given by the City of Sanctuary network. “The commitment that The NewBridge Project has made to welcoming people with lived experience of seeking sanctuary is phenomenal,” said City of Sanctuary Spokesperson. “We can’t wait to see more of the work to come.”
“We want NewBridge to be a genuine community resource,” adds Frances Stacey Programme Director at The NewBridge Project, “working in partnership with local people and organisations to support Shieldfield as a flourishing, intercultural neighbourhood. Our work is rooted to the belief that art can create space to experiment, play, to gather, listen and build solidarity”.
Image credit: Matt Denham, Kaltouma Hassabalah at Eid al-Fitr
Image credit: Matt Denham, Visitor at Resounding Diasporic Sonic Worlds
Dan Goodman, our newly appointed Communities Producer said, “NewBridge has worked hard to achieve Gallery of Sanctuary status. I’m incredibly proud to be part of the organisation, especially with Refugee Week in June, and I’m looking forward to building on these successes alongside our neighbours and with the support and expertise of the Gallery of Sanctuary network”.
As Kaltouma Hassaballah, local artist, chef and one of NewBridge’s Communities Facilitators, explains: “We must fight against the loneliness and isolation experienced by women who now call Shieldfield their home. We must celebrate our unique cultures, share experiences, and empower the next generation to be proud.”
Wherever we come from, we all have a right to feel safe. That’s why city by city, community by community, City of Sanctuary UK is building a more welcoming UK for people rebuilding their lives here.
City of Sanctuary UK networks are made up of thousands of ordinary people all around the country who are stepping up to support people seeking sanctuary in our communities, ensuring they have the connections and support they need to rebuild their lives.
City of Sanctuary UK coordinates, supports and grows this movement of welcome. From community groups to schools and universities, local councils to libraries and theatres, we work across sectors to embed a culture of welcome rooted in inclusivity, solidarity and compassion. From coordination, collaboration, practical training and opportunities for people with lived experience of the asylum system, to vital resources and unmissable webinars, they do all they can to support and grow these networks of welcome. Their Sanctuary Awards recognise and celebrate the organisations who go above and beyond to welcome people seeking sanctuary.
We’ll be celebrating during Refugee Week at our Monday Coffee Morning on 15 June, 11 – 1pm, and with an Abundance themed dance party, led by and for migrant women in our area.
The NewBridge Project is a charity, registered charity no. 1173849.
We are grateful to our funders, including Arts Council England, Newcastle City Council, Garfield Weston Foundation, Jerwood Foundation, Community Foundation North East, Newcastle University and the The North East Mayoral Strategic Authority.
We are proud to be a Gallery of Sanctuary.
