The Stevenage Arts Scene
What's happening on the arts scene in Stevenage?
If you want to join in an arts activity or attend a show or performance, these pages aim to give you all the information you’ll need to go out and get arty!
We also want to celebrate local talent and hard work so if you’ve got a story you’d like to share, please get in touch.
If your group would like to have a link from these pages, get in touch and let us know what you are doing.
Stevenage Arts Guild
The Arts Guild is an umbrella organisation that links a range of Arts Organisations in Stevenage. Currently there are 24 member groups.
The Arts Guild website www.stevenageartsguild.org.uk includes an calendar of events with information on activities of all the member groups.
Membership is open to societies and groups which meet within the Borough of Stevenage or individuals living in Stevenage who wish to further their own creative endeavours. A small annual subscription is required.
The Guild manages the Community Arts Centre in the Roaring Meg Retail Park on behalf of the Stevenage Borough Council. The Arts Centre is a purpose built facility which can be used for rehearsals and meetings. Enquiries about hiring should be made by phone to chairman.
The Arts Guild administers grant aid on behalf of Stevenage Borough Council to arts organisations based in, or organising events in, Stevenage Borough.
The Arts Guild has set up the Stevenage Arts Guild Awards to support young people aged 16-24 for personal development in the Arts. Awards may be applied for on an individual basis and to support performance or presentation by groups. For further details of the awards scheme, apply to the Chairman.
Contact: Mrs Hilary Spiers, Chairman
Phone: 01438 350217
email: johnhilary1@waitrose.com
Music, Dance and Drama
Information about local events, groups and classes.
Choral and Drama
Stevenage Symphony Orchestra is made up of musicians from Stevenage and the surrounding area. It's aims are to provide quality performances of classical music for local people, and to enhance the enjoyment and understanding of the music for its members.
The orchestra performs typically 3-4 public concerts each season.
Rehearsals are held on Wednesdays at 8.00pm (term time only) at the Community Arts Centre, Roaring Meg Retail Park, Stevenage. New players, especially strings and brass players are welcome.
Website : www.stevenagesymphony.org
Stevenage Music & Arts Centre
Valley School, Valley Way
Stevenage, Herts SG2 9AB
Telephone: 01438 351138
www.hertsmusicservice.org.uk
The Arts Pavilion at Roaring Meg is used by various groups to rehearse.
Stevenage Choral Society are a mixed voice choir currently about 90 strong and perform mainly works from the classical repertoire. Anyone who wants to sing is welcome to come along and "give it a try".
They perform both amateur and professional soloists and use amateur and professional orchestras and bands for accompaniment.
If you would like to go along to rehearsals they take place every Monday in School Term Time at 7.45pm in the Leys School, Ripon Road, Stevenage - all voices welcome!
www.stevenagechoral.org.uk
Dance
There are lots of dance classes held all over Stevenage ranging from ballet to hip hop, street and jive. To find out more visit Herts County Council website via the link below for a list of dance classes in Stevenage.
Dance Classes in Stevenage
Events and Venues
Rock in the Park is a free event which is held once a year during the summer and showcases local bands.
The Gordon Craig Theatre has been entertaining audiences from across the home counties since it first opened its doors in 1975. This 500 seat theatre provides a varied programme of live entertainment, ranging from one-night variety-music shows to week long drama productions. The theatre has also maintained a proud tradition of presenting first rate opera, dance and orchestral concerts. Call the box office for more information on 0800 131 030 or visit the website where you can book tickets online.
The Gordon Craig Theatre
Visual arts, craft and public art
Information about local Arts trusts, societies and partnerships.
The Boxfield Gallery provides exhibition space for local artists and groups.
Boxfield Gallery
Visual arts classes at Stevenage Arts and Leisure Centre are a variety of classes and courses are offered for all ages
Digswell Arts Trust provides subsidised studio space for emerging artists and craftspeople at Fairlands Valley Farmhouse.
Digswell Arts Trust
Public Art - Stevenage’s rich public art heritage is available on Hertsdirect.
Stevenage Public Art
60th anniversary tapestry unveiled in 2007, on show on the walkway through the Leisure Centre on the way to the train station.
The Stevenage Arts Society (formerly known as the Artists’ Co-operative) is an active amateur art society that meets at Springfield House in Stevenage High Street. Each year, Artists’ Co-operative mounts three major exhibitions in the Denington Galleries at Springfield House.
Stevenage Arts Society
The Green Hearts Partnership is a jointly funded project with support from the Arts Council England East and 11 Hertfordshire local authorities. It aims to demonstrate the important role the arts can play in helping to deliver the wider local authority agenda of improving the environment.
The Green Hearts Partnership
Media arts, digital arts, photography, video and film
Information about Community groups and societies.
Rewind is a community media project. Its principal aim is to offer hands on skills in a variety of media to the community with a focus on Young People and those at risk of social exclusion.
Literature, writing and story-telling
One Book for Stevenage aims to promote the enjoyment of reading and help generate a community spirit in Stevenage by encouraging as many people as possible to read the same book. This year's nominations for One Book for Stevenage can be viewed via the link below.