AN arts initiative has been launched in Darlington to bring creative people together and boost the town’s cultural offering.

Arts organisation Darlington for Culture (DfC) has launched the Hot House scheme which it hopes will facilitate new creative partnerships in the town.

The Hot House, which will bring creative people together together to work on new projects, has its roots in a chance encounter five-years-ago when Darlington Arts Centre was still open.

The encounter was between members of The Darlington Green Theatre company and Darlington-based Inkerman Writers in the Centre in 2011 and it led to a stage premiere, Branching Out, being brought to the town.

It was written by three Inkerman writers and performed by the theatre company.

The event was brokered by Darlington for Culture, which was at that time running events at the Arts Centre.

Since the centre closed, opportunities for such chance meetings have been reduced but there have been many examples of DfC brokering events, including art exhibitions and theatrical events, hence the idea behind the Hot House to bring artists of all types together.

John Dean, DfC chair and a member of the Inkerman Writers, said: “These events got us thinking. How many more theatre groups need writers? How many filmmakers need lighting experts? How many singers need musicians?

“That’s what our Hot House is all about, a chance to plant ideas, seek help to make them happen and see what grows.”

DfC vice-chair Jo Potter, also one of the team that runs Darlington Green Theatre, said: “Branching Out was a thoroughly enjoyable project and we hope The Hot House finds more like it.”

Writer Sandra Spears added: “I have first-hand experience of how effective creatives from all areas can make working together successful and I shall certainly be using the Hot House for my future projects.”

To find out more about the Hot House, visit www.darlingtonforculture.org