Following the merger of The National Centre for Craft & Design (NCCD) with arts NK and arts NK Dance, and a major capital refurbishment, the Centre – home to Design Nation – is rebranding as the Hub: a national centre for craft & design.
Funded by North Kesteven District Council, the £1.2m refurbishment creates a new multi-use dance & conferencing studio, craft workshop, indoor & outdoor Café Bar, and new ground floor gallery space, alongside the renowned main gallery and shop. On May 17 the Centre will re-open as the Hub – a brilliant new purpose-built arts venue.
The organisation will continue to deliver a dynamic programme of craft, design, dance and creative arts experiences, all serving the needs of local residents, communities and audiences.
The National Centre for Craft & Design has evolved significantly since the merger, expanding its programmes to include dance, aerial, performance, music, poetry, film and much more. With newly refurbished facilities the ambition is to grow this further and create a cultural hub for the community in every sense.
Art and craft in the community must of course be encouraged and NCCD is one of the primary centres for excellence in high-end craft and design in the UK. Changes to the building and branding strengthen and support this focus. As home to the national centre for craft and design, the celebrated exhibitions showcase contemporary artists and makers from around the world, whilst the shop stocks an ever-changing collection of handmade craft objects and design gifts. The Café Bar is a great place to enjoy locally sourced specialty food and drink.
Some artists and makers involved in the Hub have said they would be happy to offer their expertise to help facilitate workshop activities, perhaps in exchange for free use of the facilities. Workshops bring people into the NCCD so if there is a wide variety of interesting craft activities and the space to cater for those who want to participate, there will be more footfall in the building, more people using the café, spending money in the shop and visiting the exhibitions whilst they are there.
The Hub is excited to offer a dynamic learning programme of workshops, talks, classes, competitions, special events and performances for all people, ages and abilities, also delivering creative activities in schools, community and care settings and online and working with communities and partners to coordinate participatory arts projects, events, festivals, celebrations and public commissions.
The Hub – an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation – is home to the incredible Design-Nation, the UK’s leading portfolio network for designers & makers of craft, design, and product. The Hub is owned and supported by North Kesteven District Council and operated by Lincs Inspire Limited, a Lincolnshire based charity.
