Work & Play Programme 2013

Our current curatorial research explores themes of Work & Play and is the broad theme of our programme for 2013. The stimulus for this being the history of Dundas House, as the former site of Middlesbrough Winter Gardens – founded by Lady Florence Bell in 1907, as an attempt to tackle one of the social problems which worried the Edwardian middle classes – the ‘improvident use of leisure time, by working class people’.

We are interested in the use of space, and how space can hold the resonance of social and work related activity of the past and present. The use of ‘non-arts’ spaces is of particular interest to us, both in terms of project, exhibition and event space.

We realise the importance of audiences within any programme which includes exhibitions and events, and seek to engage with those who might not normally engage with artists or their work. We do this by using non-arts spaces, increasing the opportunity for audiences to ‘encounter’ work.

Work & Play in 2013 will include –

• Continued activation of previously empty spaces through our partnership with East Street Arts and their InSitu programme
• Professional development for artists including small grants
• Development of an AV space within Dundas Shopping Centre

Work and Play is funded by Arts Council England, East Street Arts, Seedbed Trust and mima