OUR PURPOSE
Divided Culture Co. exist to make new, bold work in the North of England - with and for communities who have been historically under-represented.
With half a decade of real investment into local artists, we'll continue to provide opportunities for development and growth - predominantly in Salford and Greater Manchester.
We know the importance of connectivity and we often work internationally to champion the stories that we tell. Our strategy always prioritises young people, and foregrounds their needs through the delivery of partnership-based engagements across the region. Protecting the next generation, whilst supporting the current - is a real focus.
Above all, maintaining a rich and diverse cultural landscape that allows difference to thrive is what makes us.
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COMMON STAGE
THE 2027-2031 PLAN
A 5-year project plan, maintaining lots of our core values: place-based making, supporting the under-represented and new work in new ways. But we also take a greater step towards realising our longer term visions: the mid-scale, co-producing and Europe.
Since 2021, we worked under the Dare to Innovate strategy - working on finding our ways of working, our key partners and finding a steady foot in the small-scale theatre sector. We weathered the aftershock of COVID, the tightening of funding and shifting needs for the culture sector. We produced at least one show a year, always to a strong success.
In 2024, we officially became a CIC - meaning the work that we create is on a not-for-profit basis, and is for social good. We toured Toxic to five selected areas of the North West - all in-line with Arts Council England's Priority Places list. Partnering with new venues such as the Old Electric in Blackpool and the Carriageworks in Leeds, reaching new audiences and connecting with new creatives!
In 2025, we completed our most successful year ever. We completed an R&D of Millennium in Rochdale. An exciting new writing project that pushes boundaries, both for the company and the Manchester arts-scene. We also launched the DCC Playwriting Commission for eight weeks - an opportunity for playwrights across the North West to submit their work for a financial prize and a production, mentorship and in-kind offers and promoted our Future Artists Initiative to select boroughs of Greater Manchester for the first time.
In 2026, we recognised 5 years as a business - with networking events, a micro-festival, a touring community-led installation and a 5-star production of Bears Bears Bears by Natalie Beech at CONTACT Theatre. All whilst inviting two new team members to the business and completing a residency at SEESAW in Manchester. A huge year, that also includes the engagement of over 2000 young people in Salford with Salford LCEP.
THE METHODOLOGY
DARE TO INNOVATE x FUTURE ARTISTS INITIATIVE
Divided Culture Co's three-year project 'Dare to Innovate' sought to lead the organisation into the next generation of artistry. The company committed to:
1) Making original work, with local emerging artists discovered through programmes that provide pathways into business, funders, partners and charitable networks. We will continue to be a voice for new writing, and work in innovative ways that champion inclusion, diversity and equity for all. The work we make will be challenging, possess cultural capital and engaging for local communities.
2) Developing future artists, in our work and in our flagship programme launching in 2025 'Future Artists Initiative'. With a focus on Greater Manchester, starting with educational partners - we seek to be an artist development leader in the borough and have a long-term collaboration strategy with local charities & non-profits to enhance the quality, longevity and impact of the project.
3) Be a small-scale leader, operating a business model that puts people first, fairly. Working with safe and effective processes and led by a team that are qualified, experienced and share the same values. We're on a mission to be one of the primary makers in the North West, and through this growth, will remain committed to transparency, being community-led and not-for-profit.