We’re MarketPlace Arts
We’re a dynamic, community-driven arts charity bringing creativity and culture to life in Fenland and West Suffolk. Through engaging our diverse communities as co-creators we support the transformation of seven market towns into dynamic, thriving centres for rich cultural exchange.
We believe everyone deserves access to high-quality creative experiences in their local area, which is why we work hand-in-hand with communities to create projects that matter.
What we do
We create exciting projects in Fenland and West Suffolk, working closely with local communities. We work across seven market towns, from Brandon, Mildenhall, and Newmarket in West Suffolk to Chatteris, March, Whittlesey, and Wisbech in Fenland. We aim to bring people together through creativity, making inspiring events and activities easy to access where they live.
We bring diverse creative experiences to communities, including the likes of festivals, art trails, hands-on workshops, light shows and more. At the heart of everything we do is community collaboration, with local voices and stories shaping each experience.
We’re committed to building diverse networks of volunteers and creative leaders, fostering local cultural growth. Our projects are designed to be joyful, inclusive and confidence-building, helping people learn new skills, improve wellbeing and strengthen cultural leadership by working together with those who may not usually get involved. By partnering with others, we aim to shape local policies and bring in new funding to support community creativity.
We’re proud to be part of Creative People and Places, an Arts Council England initiative backed by National Lottery funding. This network of 42 projects across England focuses on areas where people have fewer opportunities to engage with arts and culture, putting communities in the lead to shape their own creative experiences.
Our Approach
At MarketPlace Arts, every idea begins with our communities. We listen to local voices, stories, and aspirations to ensure our work truly reflects the character and spirit of each place.
We collaborate closely with a wide range of community members – from young adults, families, seniors or local groups – inviting them to shape our creative process through co-creation. By including community members in decision-making, we empower them to be part of the creative journey from start to finish. We also organise “Go See” trips across the UK, offering community members opportunities to explore new ideas, learn from others, and bring fresh perspectives back to our own work.
Our dedicated and highly skilled team is at the forefront of this approach. We are passionate about building connections, encouraging collaboration and ensuring that everyone has a voice in the creative process.