Beyond - York - Artists and Arts workers gathering

Collaborate, make friendships, share resources, find peer support and find out what's going on in the sector.

This is our second in person edition of 'Beyond,' which started in June 2024 as a series of online sessions. 'Beyond The Mainstream' is a YVAN (Yorkshire and humber Visual Arts Network) bi-monthly artist social gathering led by Michael Barnes-Wynters - sharing alternative ways to plug into a sea of creativity whilst giving opportunities to get involved in future collaborative projects and the next 'Locations of Hope' publication.

Michael Barnes-Wynters - Welcome - Mutli-disciplined audio visual artist and Beyond the Mainstream connector.

Sharon Gill - - who we are, mission, vision

Aracelly Firmo - - I will be speaking about two York-based organizations, Theatre of Connections and Story of the Changing, whose work uses art as a vehicle for healing, transformation, and liberation.

Alice Withers - next steps- Director of South Square Centre

Sue Ball - : Contemporary Artists and the Public Realm. Situation Leeds supports the artist-led in the city through strengthening its network capacity and by way of a festival, creating opportunities for artists to connect and collaborate.

Douglas Black, Sharon Hockin, Rowena Lloyd - Small Towns, Shared Practice - An account of how a small-town arts network operates in practice, linking inclusive studios, grassroots production and civic festival leadership.

(if you would like to present about any opportunities or good news stories please get in touch)

Teas, coffees and a few nibbles will be provided.

SPARK have a variety of food and drink vendors in the building. Hot food can be ordered directly from a SPARK vendor through their QR code and delivered to the event space.

We operate a Safer spaces agreement during all meetings and events, which is sent to attendees before the meeting.

The event will be in the 'SPARK Studios Show' space. The room is located on the upper level at the rear left of the building.

The most accessible route to the room has a platform lift, uneven surfaces and narrow walkways.

For a detailed accessible guide to the venue visit SPARK York AccessAble Guide

If you have any access needs, please email [email protected] with any access requirements to enable us to arrange support.

We have a collective budget of £300 to meet any requests for support with travel. If you otherwise couldn't attend and need support with travel payments - either public transport fares or petrol costs, please email [email protected] in advance of the event.

The nearest train station is York. There are numerous nearby bus stops with First Bus, Arriva, East Yorkshire, York & Country/Coastliner and Connexions services all frequently stopping. Our nearest Park & Ride is the Grimston Bar service operated by First Bus. The venue does not have its own car park but there is a public car park nearby.

If you are interested in a car share - either offering a space in your vehicle or you need a space email [email protected] and we will try and accommodate for this.

Parking and public transport travel information

YVAN is an infrastructure body for the visual arts in Yorkshire and the Humber. We are founded on the creative vision of individual artists and arts organisations. We prioritise individual practitioners, artists networks, small-scale initiatives and the artist-led.YVAN are one of nine regions that make up Contemporary Visual Arts Network (CVAN) England who are part of a national alliance of visual arts networks from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

SPARK York, 17-21 Piccadilly, York, United Kingdom

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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