AN initiative to bring together artists from across Darlington to share ideas will stage its second event next month.

The First Wednesday Arts Network, run by Humantics community interest company and Darlington for Culture, will take place between 6pm and 8pm at the Forum Music Centre, in Borough Road, on September 3.

The first one was staged on Wednesday, August 6, and was attended by 20 people.

The initiative comes after it was strongly identified at the arts debate led by Darlington for Culture during the arts festival in May, that the closure of the arts centre meant that a networking hub was lost.

Humantics has responded by offering the space and resources to host a once monthly event for all to attend, backed by Darlington for Culture, which supports arts in the area.

Allison McKay, who runs Humantics, owners of the Forum, said: “The first evening was well attended with plenty of energy in the room.

“New ideas were discussed, contacts made and projects developed. It was a great success and proved the worth of bringing people together."

John Dean, chairman of Darlington for Culture, said: "The First Wednesday Arts Network is a chance for artists of all forms to meet each other and develop ideas. It only takes one conversation for bring an exciting project to life and we saw the value of networking at the first event."

The First Wednesday Arts network will be held on the first Wednesday of every month at the Forum Music Centre from 6pm to 8pm.

The Forum plans to host the informal get-togethers as a pilot for six months during which time it will assess if there is a need and demand.