Chatham’s creative community: Meet David Stokes of Nucleus Arts

As Medway Development Company delivers new homes at The New Tide development as part of Chatham’s ongoing regeneration, we are meeting some of the people and organisations that make the town such a distinctive place to live.

Chatham and the wider Medway area have a vibrant and expanding creative community, anchored by grassroots artist studios, independent galleries and community-led regeneration projects.

One of these is Nucleus Arts, based on Chatham High Street and part of The Halpern Charitable Foundation. It provides affordable and accessible creative opportunities for professional artists, emerging creatives and the wider community.

We caught up with David Stokes, Chief Executive of The Halpern Charitable Foundation, to find out more about Nucleus Arts and why creativity is playing such an important role in Chatham’s future.

A home for creativity 

Nucleus Arts first opened its doors in 2002, providing space for local artists to develop their skills, create and showcase their work. Today its Chatham centre is home to 37 studios and more than 45 artists.

“It’s an incredibly important community facility,” says David. “We host weekly workshops which are either free or subsidised to help keep creative opportunities affordable, accessible and open to everyone.”

Alongside studio space, Nucleus Arts runs creative sessions for people of all ages, from free Social Art sessions to activities for children, teenagers and the over-55s.

“It’s a little community for artists and creatives, but it also encourages people from the wider community to come along, engage with the arts, do fun things and express themselves.”

Creativity bringing people together

David has seen Chatham’s creative community grow in recent years, with increasing numbers of people getting involved in local events, festivals and creative activities.

“Chatham has been changing in many positive ways,” he says. “One of the nice things about Chatham is that you have a festival every other month at a minimum, if not every other week at times, which is absolutely wonderful - and you see an incredible community come together.”

From Chinese New Year celebrations to carnivals and creative events, this programme is helping bring people into the centre while creating opportunities for local creatives.

“Over the last few years, we’ve seen a real growth in the community. People are getting involved in things and coming out when there is activity on.”

David describes this as “a groundswell for something really exciting.”

Creating places where communities can thrive

The growing creative scene is part of the wider regeneration taking place across Chatham.

Medway Development Company is supporting Chatham’s regeneration by creating high-quality new homes in well-connected locations, close to the town’s cultural venues, independent businesses and community organisations.

The New Tide is part of this transformation, giving more people the opportunity to make their home in Chatham and become part of the town’s growing community.

As new homes and investment continue to shape Chatham’s future, organisations such as Nucleus Arts demonstrate why successful regeneration is about more than buildings. It is about creating places where people can connect, participate and feel part of an established and evolving community.

Find out more about The New Tide and Medway Development Company’s wider programme of new homes at www.medwaydevelopmentcompany.co.uk or www.thenewtide.co.uk