Creativity works!
Banging the drum for local enterprise! . . .
Developing Creative Industries in rural County Durham Jack Drum Arts is celebrating 21 years as one of County Durham’s most successful social enterprises, with the announcement of a successful bid for European Regional Development funding and the prospect of a new home in one of the region’s best-loved entertainment venues. Established as a workers’ co-operative, the company delivers a wide range of high quality creative arts programmes across the region, frequently winning awards for its innovative work. This year the company will take up residence in the Elite Civic Hall in Crook, where it will establish a digital film and media studio, a costume hire business and a regular programme of drama, music and media activities. 
The company is run by sisters Julie and Helen Ward, along with Julie’s partner, Paddy Burton. All three have been involved in pioneering arts development work in the region, inspiring a new generation to consider the cultural industries as a viable career option. Julie was voted NE Woman Social Entrepreneur of the Year, in 2003, for her work in bringing the arts to a wide section of the community. Recently, the company has gained recognition for its media work with young people and has just received significant lottery funding from the British Film Institute to develop a series of films over the next year. The European funding, awarded as part of the Arts Council of England’s Cultural Sector Development Initiative, will enable Jack Drum Arts to support a cluster of creative industries in the heart of Wear Valley. The grant represents an unprecedented amount of investment for the cultural sector in Wear Valley and marks a turning point for the company and the communities with whom it works. |