What's on Calendar

Project Title: Wild Imagining – Woodland Makers Project

Location: Land around The Story, Durham, including the Mount Oswald neighbourhood

Commissioned by: Creativity Works CIC on behalf of Durham County Council’s Into the Light initiative

This commission forms part of Wild Imaginings: Durham City PLACE Lab – an initiative that reimagines how green spaces across the city can inspire creativity, play and environmental learning. Wild Imaginings is part of Into The Light, a wider programme exploring how culture can support wellbeing, connection and belonging across County Durham.

Project Overview:
For this commission, Creativity Works is seeking a creative practitioner or organisation to lead a short-term research and development programme that brings together local families to explore and test creative, play-based, and environmentally focused activities on the land around The Story.

The Story’s remit and the uses of the building should also inform this commission. The artist is encouraged to take inspiration from The Story’s collections, the heritage of the building (formerly the Wilkinson Family home, later part of a golf course, etc.), and to produce activity which gives a nod to the building’s current function as The Register Office.

Project Aims:

• Explore the site and build on existing activities that children and young people are already engaged with.
• Test ideas for creative, playful, and biodiversity-focused interventions.
• Gather insights to inform proposals for longer-term programming, which may include physical structures, creative/educational activities, or both.
• Engage families in co-creation, encouraging hands-on exploration and experimentation.

Proposed Activities:
Activities may include, but are not limited to:

• Woodland Makers Project: den building, ground-level treehouses, safe swings, creative seating, wild walks, and site map-making.
• Co-creation activities with families to explore imaginative uses of green spaces.
• Incorporation of orchard and biodiversity elements, drawing on site records.

Timing Requirements:

• Activities must take place during the February half term, weekends, and/or Easter holidays 2026 to maximise family participation.

Tendering Support:
To support the tendering process, Creativity Works will:

• Organise a site tour for interested practitioners to explore the spaces.
• Host an online briefing event about the commission, including project background, aims, and participant engagement.

Activity Delivery Dates:

• February 2026 – April 2026 (exact dates to be agreed with the commissioned practitioner)

Budget:

• £3,800 (inc. VAT)
• This includes all practitioner time, materials, travel and any other expenses.

Required Outcomes:

• Engagement and participation from local families, including children and young people.
• Insights into how local green spaces can support creativity, play, and environmental learning (this does not need to be provided in written format)
• Documentation of activities and outcomes to support future planning (including proposals for future activities or physical interventions)

Commissioner Responsibilities:

• Creativity Works will manage the project, liaise with participants, and process payments.
• Support will be provided for site access, local engagement, and linking activities to existing records or biodiversity data.

Application Requirements:

Applicants are asked to submit in no more than two pages of A4 (excluding budget):

• Outline of proposed activities, methods, participant engagement and approach to reporting findings.
• Evidence of experience working with families, creative projects in outdoor or green spaces, and/or biodiversity-linked creative practice.
• A short explanation of how the proposed tender aligns with your line of work, and why you are the right practitioner/organisation to deliver this commission.
• Indicative activity schedule showing availability for February half term, weekends, and Easter holidays, and resource requirements (e.g. access to specific spaces, support from The Story/Creativity Works)
• Budget breakdown within the £3,800 (inclusive of VAT)
• Confirmation that you hold a DBS for working with children and Public liability Insurance

Submissions should be made to Jane@creativityworks.uk by 5pm 7^th December 2025

Submission Process

• Online briefing session: 6pm 19^th November ( Book Online) 
• Site Visit: 26^th November 10am The Story, Durham ( book Online) 
• Application submission deadline: 5pm 7^th December
• Applicants invited to interview: 10^th December
• Online interviews: 12^th and 15^th December
• Contract awarded: 16^th December

Feedback to unsuccessful applicants: 19^th December

Please note that we are a small organisation and we will provide feedback to those not invited to interview based on the pool of applications. Those people unsuccessful at interview will be provided with individual feedback on request.

Any questions?

If you have any questions, please contact Jane (jane@creativityworks.uk)

This commission is part of the Wild Imagining initiative, a creative programme under the Durham City Place Lab, and forms part of Durham County Council’s Into the Light initiative, funded by Arts Council England.