A new website for cultural activity in County Durham has been launched by the Chair of the County Durham Cultural Partnership.
The website, which was originally created to support Durham’s bid to become UK City of Culture, has been overhauled and refreshed to provide creatives in the county with a new home.
The Cultural Partnership decided that the website could become a valuable resource for promoting the vast range of events, exhibitions and activities that go on in County Durham but could also encourage practitioners to interact with each other and share ideas.
Inaugural chair of the Cultural Partnership, Tony Durcan (pictured), said: “County Durham Cultural Partnership welcomes this revitalised website and sees it as a really important communications and marketing tool for the broad cultural sector across County Durham.
“I am confident that the website will help us all to develop and promote County Durham’s cultural offer.”
The website provides space for people to share their photos and videos as well as a member’s area which has a clash diary, document store and shared area to discuss ideas and chat.
Membership is open to anyone who is part of the cultural life of the county as well as a new drive for practitioners who want to be part of a directory of creatives working in Durham.
Chrissie Morgan, a local artist who features in the Durham Talent directory, had this to say: “I was invited to be listed on the ‘Culture Durham’ website some years ago under the Durham Talent section and have been extremely happy with the opportunity.
“As an independent artist, any help in raising my profile with local residents and visitors to our City has been very welcome. The website is clear, easy to use and inclusive.
“The site has been a proven route through which visitors have found their way to my small studio in Fowlers Yard.*
“I use the guide myself, to find out what is going on, so am sure that local people and visitors alike check out the information to visit and hopefully buy from featured shops, restaurants, studios and individuals.
“County Durham has a wealth of talent, fantastic shops and amazing historic culture and the Culture Durham website is a great place to discover it all.”
Councillor Neil Foster, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for heritage and culture said: “We have a lot of energetic and creative people who live and work in County Durham. This important tool will help them work with each other and their communities to ensure that the vibrant cultural offer, at all levels in the County, continues to grow.”
For more information visit www.culturedurham.com
*Fowlers Yard* is a hidden gem tucked away behind the Covered Market, comprising nine artists and craftspeople, a café, independent theatre and brewery.