City Arts Newbury is an independent Community Art Hub in the heart of Newbury, West Berkshire.
Our address is 10 Hampton Road, Newbury RG14 6DB.
It was created in 2015 by Claire Struthers-Semple and Isabel Carmona with the aim of providing a friendly and welcoming place to learn, share, teach, collaborate and exhibit art. A place where people could come together and enjoy Art in a friendly environment.
We became a charity in June 2019 (registered charity number 1183770) and have the following charitable objects:
- To promote, maintain, improve and advance education and appreciation of the arts in all forms in West Berkshire and the surrounding areas.
- To promote social inclusion for the public benefit by preventing people from becoming socially excluded, assist them to integrate into and contribute to society.
As well as our founders, we now have four trustees, an art hub manager, work with more than 25 artists and have over 30 volunteers (and growing).
WHEN ARE WE OPEN?
Our Community Art Hub Café is open regularly Thursdays to Sundays from 10am to 4pm and other days for exhibitions and events.
Our cakes are baked by local bakers and we serve great barista coffee and a selection of high quality teas.
Our programme of workshops, exhibitions and events run January to December..
On Friday mornings you are able to take part in Friday Art Sessions which are free and a way to meet new people while trying various art techniques. These sessions receive funding in various ways so we can pay the artists delivering the sessions fairly.
City Arts Newbury is the place to come and feel welcome and find your creativity!
There is always an exhibition to see at City Arts, and they are free to visit!
We offer affordable exhibition space to artists and collaborate with local schools and projects to showcase creativity. There are opportunities for artists to submit work for our Open Exhibitions each on a particular theme. Check our programme of exhibitions to check what is on offer .
COMMUNITY
We are proud of our involvement in the community and run seasonal free and low cost events.
With our commitment to the community, we have a strong ethos of equality and inclusion. This is reflected in the work we are involved in and why our fundraising is so important:
- We have a programme of Free Art Sessions for wellbeing at the Art Hub Cafe on Fridays
- We run free courses for older people living alone to improve their socialising opportunities through art.
- We run low cost and free events like Chalkfest, Applefest and Plant Sales throughout the year
- We provide a space for local artists, craftspeople and students to exhibit their work
- We work with people encouraging communication through art and creativity
- We provide volunteering opportunities (cafe, exhibition, general admin)
- We work with and support local independent small businesses
HIGHLIGHT EVENT
Our flagship Chalkfest event takes place every August – we take over the Market Square in Newbury and enjoy brightening up the pavement! A competition of the chalk drawings is judged by a local artist with prizes for different age groups.
