Member Article

The Canny Space Joins Sunderland Family Arts Network

Following their successful launch earlier this year, the Sunderland Family Arts Network is pleased to welcome their newest member, The Canny Space, Holy Trinity Church, East End.

Bringing alive one of the oldest and most cherished historic buildings in the East End of Sunderland, The Canny Space was established as a heritage, performance and learning centre for the people of the City.

The project is led by the Churches Conservation Trust working in partnership with Hendon Young People’s Project, Sunderland City Council, University of Sunderland, and various delivery partners in order to bring the beautiful Grade 1 listed building, Holy Trinity, back into community use.

Amanda Gerry, Canny Space Development Manager, said: “The Canny Space is a means of creating pride in the past, developing a sense of purpose in the present, and building the foundations of a bright future. We’re really pleased to be part of the Sunderland Family Arts Network and look forward to working closely with other arts organisations within the Network in order to increase involvement in the great arts activities taking place across the city. “

For their first event as part of the Sunderland Family Arts Network, The Canny Space will be hosting a day of festive fun and family entertainment on December 14. Families will be treated to a visit from the Tinker Fairy when she turns on the Christmas lights and will also have the opportunity to make their own Christmas decorations. This will be followed by Carols by Candlelight performed by the Sunderland Theatre Company.

As well as the fun family activities, The Canny Space’s architects will also be on site to offer an insight into future plans for the historic building. Kathryn Tye, Co-ordinator of The Sunderland Family Arts Network, said: “We’ve been really pleased with the great response we have received to the Sunderland Family Arts Network so far. Sunderland has a thriving and vibrant creative scene with a wide range of creative businesses and venues offering the chance to experience art and creativity at the highest level.

“By bringing these organisations and venues together we can really focus on increasing awareness of the fantastic arts activities available for families across Sunderland. We’re really pleased that The Canny Space has joined the Network. They are doing some fabulous work for creative arts within the city and it’s great to be able to work alongside them”. The Sunderland Family Arts Network is the result of several Sunderland Arts Organisations joining forces in a bid to promote and increase the involvement of families in art activities around the city.

The Network was established as part of the Arts Council supported Family Arts Campaign and, along with newest member, The Canny Space, currently includes; Creative Cohesion, Arts Centre Washington, National Gallery for Contemporary Art, ASSIGN, E-on Arts, Deborah Cauchi Fine Arts and The Bunker. For more information about The Canny Space, visit www.facebook.com/TheCannySpace. More information on the Sunderland Family Arts Network can be found at www.facebook.com/FANSunderland.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Marie Donnelly .