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First Art

First Art is about making good things happen through the arts. Through a diverse arts programme, First Art works to bring inspirational cultural experiences within reach of everyone living in Ashfield, Bolsover, Mansfield and North East Derbyshire, as well as helping local people to produce and shape their own cultural experiences and events.

The programme ranges from putting on outdoor arts festivals to supporting family art events in communities.  

First Art is a CPP (Creative People and Places) project, part of the national programme funded by Arts Council England, working in areas where arts engagement is significantly below the national average.  

A registered charity, First Art works in partnership with a consortium made up of Creswell Heritage Trust, Junction Arts, Bassetlaw Community and Voluntary Service (BCVS), and Active Partners Trust who together drive the First Art programme. 

Why we joined Without Walls

‘Without Walls TNP provides First Art with the opportunity to bring world-class artists and performances to communities that would otherwise not be able to access such things. The diverse catalogue of acts available through the TNP allows more creative and exciting programme that offers unique and inspirational experiences, experiences that are real eye-openers to the possibilities arts and culture provide and in non-typical venues. First Art is proud to be part of Without Walls, championing a wide range of artists and experiences.’

An artist in a red hoop on a stage in front of gathered crowds. A statues and town centre lurks in the backgroundunderneath a cloudy sky.
An audience watches 3 performers with a puppet. One performer is knelt holding the puppet and two other performers stand together looking out at the audience.
People juggling in a shopping mall. They are stood in a cricle with two smaller childreen in the centre of the image.
Two ariel performers are hanging down on ropes with their legs in the splits. There are three giant grey wooden circular boards that the artists use to push off and lean on in the performance.

Events at First Art

The Full Shebang is a free one-day family arts festival in Mansfield Town Centre. Established in 2019, the festival is fast becoming a key fixture for the local community and typically attracts some 10,000 visitors. The event showcases world-class outdoor performances, street theatre, interactive entertainment, music, dance, and workshops.  

First Art Highlights