About the Project

U.R.B.A.N. 
Using Retail Buildings for Arts in Newport

THE PROJECT

U.R.B.A.N. is a Newport based arts programme that will use vacant retail shops and turn them into creative spaces and workshops for all to see and do.

 In doing so we want to help reinvigorate Newport’s retail centre with ingenious, thought-provoking arts from all disciplines, including, 2D visual art, sculpture, applied art, film, animation, photography, performance, dance and music.

Our ultimate aim is to engage the general public with the arts and the arts with the general public.

The Arts Council of Wales has awarded Newport Arts Development £25,200 to continue developing our work in the City Centre. The new Arts initiative is based at Upper Dock Street and will continue to build on the success of the pilot project previously known as ‘the Empty Shops Project’.

LAST YEAR

Until 2010, no major projects involving vacant retail spaces had taken place in Wales. Newport Community Arts Development took on the task of taking over some of the vacant spaces in the City Centre and made ‘The Empty Shops Project’ the first, prominent project to take place in the area. Providing the opportunity to exhibit artwork to hundreds of local artists and encourage local residents to explore their own creativity. The project was a success and an extremely valuable platform from which to launch our next project called U.R.B.A.N.

FOR ARTISTS

U.R.B.A.N. is able to extend exhibition opportunities to emerging, early career, professional artists and community groups who are producing work of an exceptional standard and we encourage applications from creative people who are excelling in their particular field of the arts who would like to share their technical ability with others.

OUR SUPPORT

U.R.B.A.N. is funded by Arts Council Wales and Newport City Council arts development with support from Newport City Council’s Economic Development and Estates teams. Furthermore the invaluable voluntary help received in organising the project is greatly appreciated and enables the creation of artistic opportunity in Newport to continue.

TAKING PART

If you are interested in taking part in the project please see the Apply Now section for applications to exhibit work or if you would like to volunteer your time to the project please see the Volunteer section for details of how you can get involved. 


THE TEAM

Nick Cadman

Sally-Anne Evans
Greg Miller
Emma Henley

U.R.B.A.N. is funded by...

Newport Community Arts Development
Arts Council of Wales
Welsh Government
Newport Festival
The Riverfront
Newport City Council