This summer, celebrations will be held through a series of four weekenders in Sheffield’s Cultural Industries Quarter (CIQ). These ‘Out & About’ events will bring together cultural, community and hospitality businesses in the area, alongside community groups, local artists and creatives to celebrate creativity and making in Sheffield.
The programme of free, family-friendly activities is funded through Sheffield City Council’s economic recovery fund and led by Site Gallery alongside partners Showroom Workstation, Yorkshire Artspace and Bloc Projects. The CIQ square (pictured) will be transformed into an outdoor venue where visitors can hang out, buy food and drinks, and take part in a variety of exciting activities in the area with a map guide.
WHAT’S ON?
Urban Futures: Saturday 2 & Sunday 3 July, 11am – 6pm
What could the future of our city look like? And what part can we all play in the shaping of our urban environment? What changes would you like to see in your own city in 10, 100 or even 1000 years into the future?
Visitors can get involved with a programme of free informative and participatory workshops and drop-in children’s activities. These include exploring newly commissioned artworks, joining a Buildings of the Future architecture walking tour led by Studio Polpo, taking part in the Artist Lead Housing workshop with local designer Jon Orlek, and having their say live on the radio with creative broadcasting partner Montez Press Radio.
Freshly Squeezed: Saturday 30 July, 12-9pm & Sunday 31 July, 12 – 8pm
Freshly Squeezed is a two-day festival of live music and workshops taking place in Site Square programmed by and showcasing some of the most talented young creatives, musicians and producers in the city.
The Saturday will be programmed by Hope Works and will feature live performances by artists who have taken part in Pattern and Push, their talent competition for rappers and singers in South Yorkshire. The Sunday events will be programmed by DINA and their Young Producers. Site Gallery will also be launching a new collaborative zine made with Andro and Eve and Site Gallery’s Society of Explorers.
The Bounce! artwork on the square, by Florence Blanchard
Paint Jam: Saturday 6 & Sunday 7 August, 11am – 6pm
The Paint Jam Weekender is a celebration of art and creativity in the public realm. Visitors can take a map and explore a series of newly commissioned murals sited on the facade of popular locations along the Creative Industries Quarter, or find out more about the works in the guided Hitting the Streets: Mural and Street Art Tour. We will be launching exciting new murals by acclaimed artists in a celebration of the city’s unique character, heritage and communities.
There will be lots to do in the CIQ Square, including Live Painting by Artists and an exciting break-dance workshop led by Rationale Arts with a live DJ.
Sustainability: Saturday 3 & Sunday 4 September, 11am – 6pm
What are our own relationships to local and global environmental concerns? Through cooperation and knowledge exchange, what small changes can we make to build a more sustainable future for ourselves and each other? And what does sustainability mean to you?
Visitors can take part in free, drop-in workshops sharing the joys of pickling, fermenting, gardening, seed saving and foraging with Social Pickle, engage with newly commissioned artworks, grab a bite to eat or and have their say live on the radio.
More information on the full events programme is available here.
