Newhaven Enterprise Zone

The 2023 BN9 Creative Programme

In 2023 we continued supporting organisations to produce projects and events based in Newhaven. We supported five awardees of the Newhaven Growth Fund, who shared £24,000 to develop their organisations through innovative projects. We also supported the Creative Newhaven group, the Newhaven Arts Space, produced an installation in Newhaven Library window, and staged a major public art trail, Following Ravilious. All this on top of hosting some great events at the Sidings Courtyard.

Find out more about what happened in Newhaven in 2023 by scrolling down, starting with the five Growth Fund awardees.

Hospitable Environment

Community arts organisation Hospitable Environment uses food and creativity to connect with local people through projects like the woodfired bread oven, and Soup & Social – their free shared meal and community conversation. Their award underpinned the delivery of more opportunities and events in Newhaven for 2023 and beyond.

The Hospitable Environment Ravilious Field trip photo: © Phoebe Wingrove

Alice’s Adventures in Aerialand photo: © Phoebe Wingrove

Newhaven Festival is now in its 6th year. Together with funding from Newhaven Town Council, Festival Director Rhoda Funnell curated another diverse line-up including Bicycle Ballet, music at the Bandstand, Alice’s Adventures in Aerialand, a Glyndebourne Youth Opera event, plus a monthly What’s On guide.

In November, youth theatre group Haven Young Creatives created Harbour Lights, a one-day family festival which director Siou Hannam hopes will become an annual fixture. This community came together to celebrate winter time with local artists co-creating a day of making lanterns and music, ending in a lantern procession that lit up the streets of Newhaven.

Harbour Lights photo: © Phoebe Wingrove

James and the Giant Peach photo: © Paula Jackson

Ignite Theatre

Ignite Theatre brought their Christmas production of Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach to Meeching Hall. “Over three years the Ignite players have worked hard to bring professional productions to the local community at affordable prices” says artistic director Lisa Fairfield. The show played to packed audiences and was a roaring success.

Ring in the New

Ring in the New celebrated the restoration of Piddinghoe’s historic church bells. Composer Chris Moore (VOCES8) collaborated with Tidemills Choir and Harbour Primary School to create a piece of music which drew on stories of Piddinghoe gathered by student oral historians from Seahaven Academy. Project lead Ben May said “it was a world premiere of aspirational and beautiful music”.

Ring in the New photo: © Phoebe Wingrove

More from 2023

Some amazing events took place in Newhaven this year including Amor! by Compagnie Bilbobasso. An enchanting night of music, tango, and fire, lit up the Sidings, as part of 18 Hours annual Journeys Festival of Dance.

Amor! photo: © Phoebe Wingrove

Artist Hanna Benihoud‘s light sculpture Radiant Introvert, was installed in Newhaven Library’s window.

Radiant Introvert: © Phoebe Wingrove

The Newhaven Art Space continued to produce high-quality contemporary art exhibitions including by Karla Black.

Karla Black: © Phoebe Wingrove

Newhaven art collective Edgeland Modern produced an extraordinarily well-received exhibition on the top floor of the newly re-opened Marine Workshops building. Grayson Perry and the Rev. Richard Coles were just two of the famous people in attendance.

Border: After Ravilious © Phoebe Wingrove