Our hidden gems are hosting a number of family-friendly events this summer as part of its Children’s Capital of Culture 2025 launch programme, providing more things to do in Rotherham than ever before!
Earlier this year, the borough announced that it will become the world’s first Children’s Capital of Culture in 2025, creating a landmark year to showcase itself like never before.
The journey officially launched in February, giving people a taste of what’s to come in 2025 and showing Rotherham as a cultural destination and home to boundless creative young talent. In the lead-up to 2025, creative venues and organisations in and around the town have organised an increased programme of events and experiences. As part of the spring launch programme, Rotherham hosted its first ever skate and art festival, put on a variety of pop-up exhibitions from renowned artists, held graffiti and poetry workshops, urban open mic nights and more – all designed and created by children and young people of Rotherham.
Now the town is gearing up for an unmissable summer programme of events. Grimm & Co has hosted a number of events at its Linger Longer Lane venue in town, Gulliver’s Valley hosted an arts fest and Magna recently hosted a culture and leisure careers event. And there’s more to come.
A two-year project that celebrates joyful stories of care experienced young people in Rotherham has recently launched. Affinity Create will be curated by professional artists and exhibited at a travelling gallery that will visit historic sites across the borough.
The historic Wentworth Woodhouse will be transformed into a contemporary creative arts house later this month by a talented team of Rotherham’s young artists, digital creatives and film-makers. On Tuesday 21st June (afternoon and evening) and Wednesday 22nd June, 6-9pm, the house will be divided into zones, including the Virtual Art Zone for immersive AR experiences; a Digital Music Zone with music production and DJing workshops on the agenda; a Writing Zone where you can take part in a screenwriting masterclass with Wentworth Woodhouse’s scriptwriting competition winner from last year; and finish off with a visit to a live interactive film set – where two young actors will perform with a full film crew, before you jump in to get a taste of real life on a film set.
There will also be two film premieres – one of a short film about life for four young people in Rotherham from very different backgrounds, and a music video premiere of a song written and performed by a team of young creatives in Rotherham.
Free tickets available now at the Wentworth Woodhouse website.
In Thurcroft, Troll Festival 2022 will celebrate all things nature with art, crafts, music, and dance. Through the power of art and creativity, the Troll Festival aims to enhance environmental awareness, promote sustainability, and share the joy of the natural world.
On Saturday 25th June, 2pm – 4pm, a procession will be held, with internationally exhibiting artist/designer Morwenna Catt, who specialises in textiles and sculptural fabrics, creating the parade’s huge puppet. Many of Rotherham’s incredibly talented artists and performers, including Patrick Amber, Neath Champion-Shorr, Jennifer Booth, Phillip Padfield, Aralia Studios, Dead Earnest Theatre Company, Deborah Frith, Uzma Rani, Teresa Sayner, Rotherham Drummers United, Sylwia Anna Drwal, Craig Vegas, Chris Bilton, Greentop Circus and Travelling Shadow Theatre, will host creative workshops, performances, installations and other creative activities themed around nature, climate change, and the environment, bringing young people’s voices to the fore.
Keep an eye on www.rotherhamroar.co.uk for the full schedule of events.
A new pop-up museum will be unveiled at New York Stadium in July, with video stories, interactive displays and artefacts dedicated to the history of Rotherham United. Celebrate the team, female football players, and Arthur Wharton, the first professional black football player who began his professional career in Rotherham. The launch will see children and young people from schools and community groups around Rotherham come together to perform a 32-step dance routine in honour of Arthur Wharton.
More at the Rotherham United website.
A dramatic public sculpture will appear in Rotherham overnight this July, changing familiar spaces and bringing wonder and joy, while asking questions about who we are and our place in the world. Visitors will also have the chance to get hands-on with free, drop-in craft workshops. This breathtaking installation has been designed by international production studio Kaleider in collaboration with a group of Trainee Creative Producers aged 16-to-25 from Rotherham.
Check the Children’s Capital of Culture Facebook page for updates.
This summer, Children’s Capital of Culture is giving young people aged 12-to-16 the chance to take part in a four-day workshop aimed at achieving their Bronze Arts Award, a nationally-recognised Level 1 qualification. The young people will be supported every step of the way by experienced creative professionals, who will help them develop confidence and creativity while building their knowledge of different opportunities within the arts and cultural sector.
By taking part in the Children’s Capital of Culture Bronze Arts Award programme, young people will get to have a go at a range of different arts activities, including music, visual arts, and creative writing. They will also be given the time and support needed to explore their own artistic interests – whether they’re into singing or scriptwriting, dance or drama, film or photography, or anything else creative!
There will also be some exciting trips to visit creative events in Rotherham.
Sign-up here: The workshop programme is free to take part in, but places must be booked in advance.
Julie Dalton, Chair of the Children’s Capital of Culture Programme Board, explains: “This summer line-up of events is an amazing opportunity for young people to engage with creativity in Rotherham and see what we have to offer in the region. It’s a chance to inspire them through art, and spark interests that will last a lifetime. We can’t wait to see our guests get involved with all the exciting activities we have planned.”
Councillor Victoria Cusworth, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People at Rotherham Council said: “I was fortunate enough to attend some of the fantastic taster event activities for the Children’s Capital of Culture earlier this year, so I know local children, young people and families are in for a real treat again. The breadth of activities and opportunities available means there really is something for everyone.”
Deborah Bullivant, Founding Director of Grimm & Co, added: “We can’t wait to welcome families and young people from across Yorkshire and beyond. With music, dance, theatre, writing and creativity, there is something for everyone to enjoy, young and old, and we want to invite all our communities to celebrate in their great town of Rotherham.”
For more information, visit www.rotherham2025.com/hello.