2025 in Focus: Art, Collaboration, Community

2025 brought a few challenges with plenty of highs along the way. From milestones to unforgettable moments, here are a few highlights that made this year one to remember.

● Middlesbrough Art Week brought artists and the town together to celebrate creativity in all its forms, finishing with a closing party we won’t forget.

● Sonic Arts Week pushed boundaries, filling spaces with experimental sounds and new ideas.

● Common Ground brought people together through free workshops led by a variety of artists and experts, focusing on community gardening and art-making, alongside our community meals.

● We launched FORGED in partnership with Middlesbrough Art Week, Navigator North, and the Tees Valley Combined Authority. The project champions creative innovation in the Tees Valley and delivers exciting public art across the UK.

● We were honoured to win a Tees Valley Innovation Award for Creative Innovation.

● Will Hughes was crowned Tees Valley Visual Artist of the Year 2025,  a proud moment and a well-deserved recognition.

● The renovation we’ve all been waiting for is almost there. The newly updated Auxiliary building is taking shape. It’s going to be well worth the wait.

2026 will definitely be another unforgettable year. We can’t wait to finally open The Auxiliary and keep doing what we love. Here’s to another year of creating, sharing, and growing together across the North East and beyond.

Thank you to every artist, volunteer, partner, supporter and visitor. You make all of this possible. 💙