Hartlepool project puts culture and creativity in the hands of the local community.

A consortium of partners led by The Northern School of Art and supported by, Thirteen, Hartlepool Borough Council, Tees Valley Combined Authority, PFC Trust, and JRF, has been successful in applying for funding for their ‘Rock Pools’ project, which has secured £750,000 from Arts Council England and up to a further £250,000 of match funded investment, as Creative People and Places (CPP) Portfolio is announced.

The Arts Council project which sees £42 million invested in 45 programmes from 2026–29, delivers more grassroots-led cultural experiences in areas across England where involvement in arts and culture is below the national average. Arts Council England will provide the Rock Pool’s project funding over the three years, with further match funding from The Northern School of Art, Thirteen, Hartlepool Borough Council, Tees Valley Combined Authority, PFC Trust, JRF, and further fundraising.

‘Rock Pools’ debut is set to launch in Hartlepool in April 2026, which will see a programme of creative and cultural activities across the region. The project will be co-designed with communities, with each of Hartlepool’s wards seen as a distinct ‘rock pool’, shaped by its people and stories. By co-creating cultural activities with Hartlepool residents, Rock Pools will amplify local voices, build connections between wards, and drive long-term cultural transformation to the town.

Hartlepool’s CPP will be led by a consortium of organisations, headed by The Northern School of Art and supported by Tees Valley Music Service, Thirteen, Hartlepool Sport and Thrive Teesside. CPPs bring together community, grassroots and cultural organisations as partners to take the lead in choosing, creating and taking part in creative and cultural activities. CPPs are empowering local people to pursue the art they want, where they live.

Martin Raby, Principal of The Northern School of Art commented: “The Northern School of Art is absolutely thrilled to lead the Creative People and Places programme in Hartlepool. This is the first time this funding has been awarded in Hartlepool and it is a hugely positive moment for the town. The Rock Pools application was co-created and a huge element of the work was seeking consultation from those who know this town best- residents, artists, community workers, larger organisations and local authorities. Rock Pools seeks to make real, sustainable change within the town’s communities, supporting them to shape, design, lead and change the arts and cultural provision in Hartlepool. A special thanks to our

Consortium partners and organisations that provided match funding, it has really set Rock Pools up for an incredibly successful start in April.

A yearlong application process saw The Northern School of Art work with community and statutory partners to develop an application that considered the types of creative and cultural experiences wanted by the people of Hartlepool.

Rebecca Ball, Area Director, North, Arts Council England said:

“The Creative People and Places programme empowers our communities across the North to design and shape the cultural offer on their doorstep. Since 2012 we have seen the transformative impact of these projects on the people and places. I’m so happy that we are able to continue to fund this remarkable programme and I am delighted that from 2026 we will be welcoming four new projects in the North to the programme. I can’t wait to see how this investment will continue to inspire and engage. This programme would not be possible without the support of all the people who play the National Lottery, as it is thanks to them that we are able to fund this lifechanging work.”

This Arts Council England funding is made possible thanks to National Lottery players. Every National Lottery ticket purchased generates money for good causes and enables people in villages, towns, and cities up and down the country to get access to cultural experiences where they live. Find out more here.