East Street Arts provided Vicky Holborough and Nicola Parkin with a temporary workspace from which they are running NICE

Through our temporary workspace scheme, East Street Arts provided Vicky Holborough and Nicola Parkin with some office and studio space in Dundas House, a huge office building in Middlesborough. From this temporary space, Vicky and Nicola are running and developing NICE.

NICE is a 6 month opportunity for early stage visual artists in the North East who are aged 19 to 25. This pilot programme provides experience of real professional working practices within the creative sector. The programme is designed, delivered and facilitated by programme leaders and arts professionals, Nicola Parkin and Vicky Holbrough.

NICE aims to bridge the gap in the provision of ‘hands on’ creative education and training for early stage artists. We have identified early stage artists as individuals who have either recently completed further education/training in the arts or who can evidence their commitment and creative practice outside of an educational setting. It is designed to engage, inspire, and inform participants; increasing their employability as arts professionals.

NICE includes mentoring, skills development in creative practice, specialist sessions with arts professionals, supported studio space and leadership opportunities through the Gold Arts Award. The programme will address how early stage artists have a role within the creative workforce, investigating opportunities and progressions with the assistance and guidance of practicing arts professionals.

NICE is funded by Arts Council England, Seedbed Trust, and Middlesbrough Council. The programme is also supported by Tees Valley Arts, mima, and Navigator North.

For more information, please visit: www.nicenortheast.com