New creative industries hub coming to Northampton Market Square

The Creative Place - a new space for aspiring and established creatives, or anyone wanting to learn more about the arts in Northants - will open on Northampton's newly refurbished Market Square, on Friday 20th September, with everyone invited to visit between 10am and 7pm for a mini tour, drinks and cake.

Perhaps the smallest art centre in the world, this new creative industries hub for Northamptonshire is the initiative of the non-profit oroganisation Northampton Film Festival (NFF), supported by CLICK Arts Foundation and West Northamptonshire Council. Easily accessible, in the heart of Northampton, it will provide a space for local residents to drop in and discover more about creativity and the arts throughout the county, and provide local creatives with the opportunity to display work, network and develop their craft.

According to Becky Carrier, Director of NFF: "Creativity is very much at the heart of Northants, so we wanted this to be a highly visible, welcoming space for local people to come and experience all that our county has to offer. Whether you're just curious, want to have a go at something creative, or want to seriously develop your creative career, the space is for you to come and use, so we'd love to see you there."

Becky added: "The Creative Place was inspired by a combination of the commission from NTC to make a film about the Market Square's heritage and the Creative Industries Consultation we carried out earlier in the year.

"In the process of making the film, Northampton residents spoke about their memories and hopes of the square as a social space, a space which is the beating heart of Northampton. Then when all the creatives that contributed to our consultation said they really wanted a highly visible, easily accessible social/work/exhibition space, it seemed a no-brainer to put that new space right on the square itself."

After its launch on the 20th, The Creative Place will be open Tuesdays to Fridays, 10am – 6pm and Saturdays 10am – 4pm.

Listed below are some of the special events it will be hosting:

Tuesday 17th September
An online meeting for Northants residents who want to be part of a film NNF is producing, to mark the reopening of Northampton's nearly 900-year-old market square. Residents who want to contribute to the script, and say why the square is so important, can join the online meeting or email their thoughts to info@northamptonfilmfestival.co.uk
Read more and sign up to the online meeting here Northampton Market Square script idea meeting - online | Northampton Film Festival 2024 (eventive.org)

Saturday 21st September
'Peace Circles in the Square' for the UN's International Day of Peace including:
● free one-hour 'peace talks' using extracts from Roy Leighon's new play The Missing Peace at 11am, 1pm and 3pm
● Opportunities to chat with Roy and his team at Undiscovered Country about how they are using theatre to support peace in schools, communities and businesses between 10am - 4pm
More information can be found here Schedule | Northampton Film Festival 2024 (eventive.org)

Friday 27th and Saturday 28th September
Northampton artist Sophie Slade will be in residence painting directly on The Creative Place window and exhibiting her work. Pop in to watch her paint, learn about her craft or buy some of her work.

For further information please visit The Creative Place website or or @NNCreativePlace on Instagram.