Jack Drum Arts turns 40 this year and we’d love you to come and celebrate 40 years of brilliant community creativity with us!

Celebration week starts Monday 10th August
Festival day is on Saturday 15th August

The Story So Far

For 40 years Jack Drum Arts has changed lives through inspiring culture and creativity.

Jack Drum Arts was founded in 1996 by Julie Ward and Paddy Burton to bring creativity and culture to County Durham communities affected by the economic and cultural deprivation of the 1980s. Throughout the years the company has continued to build on its inclusive, socially purposeful and community based foundations whilst evolving both artistically and according to changing social needs.

Having transformed from a versatile touring theatre company to its current incarnation as a busy multi-arts organisation with carnival arts at its heart, Jack Drum intertwines grassroots community support with professional artistic excellence, delivering year round creative programmes for the residents of Co Durham and beyond., that improve wellbeing, develop skills and strengthen communities.

What’s Happening?

On the week leading up to our big festival day, we will be running a series of free ‘try it out’ sessions for anyone who is curious about what we have to offer and would like to have a go for themselves. On 40FEST day on Sat 15th August there will be an afternoon of free music, family activities, games and an exhibition of arts, crafts and photographs leading up to a brilliant community ceilidh in the evening. There will be something for everyone.

Watch out for future programme announcements on our Facebook and Instagram pages, or join our mailing list using the form below to be kept up to date.

So come along, get involved and help us write the next exciting chapter!