and we are the winner!

...of the Best Local Authority Arts Project Encouraging Community Cohesion in the Hearts for the Arts Awards 2019.

We are unbelievably proud that Erimus, our commission from Middlesbrough Council to re-open Middlesbrough Town Hall, has won this award. Read on for what the judges had to say…

“A huge amount of planning and careful constructing went into this project. I particularly appreciated the groundwork done in winning the support and trust of different groups and men as well as women. The final performance looked incredible and the joy it inspired was palpable.” – Samira Ahmed, journalist, writer and broadcaster

“Fabulous idea.  A great project taking a number of elements of Middlesbrough’s heritage and teaming it up with an original artistic piece to encompass so many people who have never experienced the performing arts before! It seems to have been a great place for education, collaboration, diversity and pride in the community. When I visit Middlesbrough in the future I will always remember ‘Erimus’ – ‘We Shall Be’. Well done.” – Les Dennis, actor, comedian, television presenter and National Campaign for the Arts Champion

“This sounds amazing. I wanted to be there. It’s a poster child for all we in the arts believe in.”
– Kwame Kwei-Armah, playwright, director, Artistic Director of the Young Vic Theatre

“A high quality arts activity which has effectively brought together new and established communities and arts organisations to create a new performance and celebrate the importance of local heritage. Inspiring piece of film, too.” – Lorna Lee, Head of Culture & Heritage Services, London Borough of Waltham Forest, and winner of a 2018 Hearts for the Arts Award

“This is how to open a building! Well-organised, joyous occasions like this, which bring the community together and turn them into an ensemble so much greater than the sum of its parts, can change lives. The town hall belongs to the people; now the town hall IS the people. The very definition of community cohesion!” – Samuel West, actor, director and Chair of the National Campaign for the Arts

For the full story visit Hearts for the Arts website

And have a look at our video of the event!