about us
Let us introduce you to D6: Culture in Transit, where cultures meet and exchange, and where artists and ideas come together to reveal our complex, surprising and interconnecting lives.
We are visual arts producers working with extraordinary artists, intrepid partners, communities and policy makers. Our artistic programme explores some big questions around the value and ethics of artistic production and engagement – for whom, by whom, with whom and in response to societal and environmental issues that both unite and divide us.
In a world ravaged by Covid 19, these considerations are even more prescient, exposing the need to move away from the more people less time paradigm - and do things more slowly, more deeply and more meaningfully: to have impact by doing things at a slower pace in order to be kind to each other and our planet and to use our resources more resourcefully; to make real connections and do things well we need to deepen the experience of the artists and the participants and to make it more meaningful we need to listen, to question and respond.
Through research, commissioning, and presentation we work across borders to promote the value of the arts in the sustainable development of neighbourhoods, our communities and our planet.
We are visual arts producers working with extraordinary artists, intrepid partners, communities and policy makers. Our artistic programme explores some big questions around the value and ethics of artistic production and engagement – for whom, by whom, with whom and in response to societal and environmental issues that both unite and divide us.
In a world ravaged by Covid 19, these considerations are even more prescient, exposing the need to move away from the more people less time paradigm - and do things more slowly, more deeply and more meaningfully: to have impact by doing things at a slower pace in order to be kind to each other and our planet and to use our resources more resourcefully; to make real connections and do things well we need to deepen the experience of the artists and the participants and to make it more meaningful we need to listen, to question and respond.
Through research, commissioning, and presentation we work across borders to promote the value of the arts in the sustainable development of neighbourhoods, our communities and our planet.
our history
D6 began in the early 1990s as ISIS Arts, set up by recent arts graduates coming together to produce an exhibition for International Women’s day. We shared an interest in the political role of the arts and its ability to draw threads between artists and communities at home and abroad.
As early adopters of the digital, we set up the region’s first digital studio in 1994 training artists and creating art works. By the Millennium we had long decided that we did not want to run a permanent gallery, preferring instead to present work in public spaces and with partners in neighbourhoods. In 2000, to resolve the issue of local resources, we created the Big M, a mobile inflatable venue for artists’ film and video, touring festivals and events across Europe.
From our corner of the UK we looked out to the rest of the world and began creating projects beyond our borders and with partners who shared our ethos. Starting with the local, our programme looked for the international in our everyday, often working with communities at a point of change. From Home (1999-2000) which considered the impact of migration on our cultural identity to At Home in Europe and the arrival of the Polish community (2005-10) to Homelands and the Roma community (2011 – 15), to the impact of Brexit (Corners, Young Europeans 2016 – 19) to refugee and asylum seekers and our shared colonial histories (There is Beauty in This Journey, Contested Desires 2018 - 2021 ).
From our studio space in central Newcastle we welcomed artists to come and explore ideas, taking forward artist-led proposals that resonated with partners locally and internationally, initiating 64 artist’s commissions and working across 31 countries. Our research residency programme remains strong to this day, contributing significantly to the development of contemporary artists’ practice.
As early adopters of the digital, we set up the region’s first digital studio in 1994 training artists and creating art works. By the Millennium we had long decided that we did not want to run a permanent gallery, preferring instead to present work in public spaces and with partners in neighbourhoods. In 2000, to resolve the issue of local resources, we created the Big M, a mobile inflatable venue for artists’ film and video, touring festivals and events across Europe.
From our corner of the UK we looked out to the rest of the world and began creating projects beyond our borders and with partners who shared our ethos. Starting with the local, our programme looked for the international in our everyday, often working with communities at a point of change. From Home (1999-2000) which considered the impact of migration on our cultural identity to At Home in Europe and the arrival of the Polish community (2005-10) to Homelands and the Roma community (2011 – 15), to the impact of Brexit (Corners, Young Europeans 2016 – 19) to refugee and asylum seekers and our shared colonial histories (There is Beauty in This Journey, Contested Desires 2018 - 2021 ).
From our studio space in central Newcastle we welcomed artists to come and explore ideas, taking forward artist-led proposals that resonated with partners locally and internationally, initiating 64 artist’s commissions and working across 31 countries. Our research residency programme remains strong to this day, contributing significantly to the development of contemporary artists’ practice.
AT A GLANCE
Founded in 1991 D6 has run an international programme of commissions, residencies and events for over 28 years.
Download a copy of our latest annual report here.
- 28 years of experience
- Partners in 57 countries globally
- Significant advocacy and mentoring skills in arts and culture, delivering training to 7320 individuals in the past 10 years
- Led projects with 31 countries in the last 5 years
- Supported more than 51 international residencies in the past 10 years, contributing significantly to the development of contemporary artists and their work
- Initiated 60 commissions that give voice to marginalised communities and change attitudes
- Reached diverse regional and international audiences of over 142,000 people with events and artists talks in the past 10 years.
Download a copy of our latest annual report here.