We’re pleased to reveal the six creatives we will be supporting to work with our Barnsley communities to create socially-engaged art.

In partnership with Beam, a cultural development organisation working across the north of England, we have selected six South Yorkshire artists and creative practitioners to take forward our ENGAGE / CREATE live commission.

This is a unique chance for those chosen to explore and develop socially-engaged practice, which involves working closely with communities.

They will work with people in our Principal Towns of Cudworth, Hoyland, Penistone, Royston, Wombwell and Goldthorpe over the coming months to co-create new artwork, which will be showcased in public next year.

Cllr Robin Franklin, Cabinet Spokesperson for Regeneration and Culture, said: “Selecting the talented artists we want to take forward this exciting project is an exciting moment.

“We want everyone in Barnsley to have the opportunity to grow and develop their skills and to enjoy memorable cultural experiences.

“I can’t wait to see how the artists inspire people in our communities and what wonderful artwork they can create together.”

ENGAGE / CREATE is part of our Storying Barnsley programme, which aims to celebrate the stories and heritage of Barnsley and its people through creative and cultural activities.

We opened the commission up to South Yorkshire-based creatives from all disciplines, including visual arts, performing arts, music, film, digital media and literature.

The programme will see the chosen artists receive mentoring and support from Beam and other experts in the field of socially-engaged practice.

The artists selected for each town are:

• Wombwell: Izzy Dabiri, textile artist.
• Cudworth: Jayde Marie Bell (also known as Eye Violet), mural painter.
• Penistone: Lucy Burns, illustrator and mural painter.
• Goldthorpe: Tahir Shah - film producer, storyteller and director.
• Royston: Jack Riley – theatre and community arts practitioner.
• Hoyland: Thomas Palmer – sculptor and potter.

The artists will be mentored by three experienced creatives: sculptor Dan Jones, theatre maker and creative facilitator Natalie Bellingham, and artist and curator Natasha Clarke.

Frances Smith, Principal Consultant for Beam, said: “We’re delighted to be working with the Storying Barnsley team to build on their impressive work with artists and communities across Barnsley to date, to develop this artist development opportunity.

“We’re excited to work with our team of six inspiring artists, matched with their three experienced mentors, to guide and support them as they develop new approaches to working with communities as part of their artistic practice, across the six principal towns.”

Artwork produced will span a broad range of art forms and be developed through community participation and collaboration.

During the process, artists will have the chance to reflect on their progress, both individually and with their mentors and peers, in order to inform their future practice.

You can learn more about the artists and mentors and keep track of how the project is developing on our dedicated ENGAGE / CREATE webpage.

ENGAGE / CREATE is part of the Storying Barnsley CDF2 programme and is being developed and delivered by Beam.

It is funded as part of the Cultural Development Fund Round 2 by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and Arts Council England.

Photo caption: From left to right: Helen Moore, creative producer at Beam; artist Lucy Burns, mentors Dan Jones and Natalie Bellingham, artist Tahir Shah, mentor Natasha Clarke, artists Jayde Bell, Izzy Dabiri and Thomas Palmer.

Note to editors: A high-resolution version of this image is available on request.