Arts in libraries

Welcome to the home of the award-winning Cultural Hubs - Arts in Libraries programme.

Cultural Hubs is delivered by and through St Helens Borough Council Library Service - one of only six library services in England to be awarded National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) status by Arts Council England (ACE).

In 2016 we were voted Best Arts Project in The People's National Lottery Awards, and continue to grow in strength, ambition, and popularity, engaging over 20,300 audiences in the arts since becoming an NPO.

We collaborate with arts organisations across the region, including Heart of Glass, DaDaFest, wonder arts, Homotopia, Liverpool Independents Biennial and Writing on the Wall.

We have previously hosted work from internationally recognised artists including Frank Cottrell-Boyce, Selina Thompson, Mark Titchner, Aidan Moesby and Francesca Martinez.

We have commissioned and collaborated with artists from St Helens and the wider region including Kevin Crooks, Ben Hodges, Claire Weetman, Rebecca Ainsworth, Millie Chesters, Pretentious Dross, Brendan Curtis, Alexis Maxwell, Year of the Rat Collective and many more. Browse our past events.

Our mission is to provide diverse creative opportunities for audiences and participants within library spaces, online and in the community; to collaborate with artists and communities for the mutual benefit of all, and to share best practice with other library services across England.

Find out more about what's on in our current programme, including how you can get involved.

Our core team 

Cath Shea, Arts Development Manager (cathshea@sthelens.gov.uk)

Andrew Cave, Senior Arts in Libraries Officer (andrewcave@sthelens.gov.uk)

Jim Valentine-Burrows, Arts in Libraries Officer (jamesvalentine-burrows@sthelens.gov.uk)

Rebecca Ainsworth, Creative Lives Officer (rebeccaainsworth@sthelens.gov.uk)

Kevin Dyer, Creative Writing Workshop Leader (kevindyer@sthelens.gov.uk)

Alison Patterson, Arts Support Officer (alisonpatterson@sthelens.gov.uk)

There is an advisory board that oversees the Cultural Hub programme chaired by Pippa Lea. If you are interested in becoming a board member, please email Andrew Cave.