What is EDAN?

East Durham Artists’ Network (EDAN) is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the promotion of arts and culture in the East Durham area. We draw our members from south of the Tyne and north of the Tees.

• EDAN seeks to recognise and encourage the artistic talents and skills of people living, working, or having personal ties with County Durham, and to spread the word about their work within and beyond the local region. 

• EDAN organises exhibitions, talks and lectures, group projects, interest groups, classes and workshops. Exhibitions of art work are shown in its own venue, the Art Block, in Seaham, and also in other venues regionally, nationally and internationally. 

• EDAN is sensitive to the historical and economic context in which it is operating and seeks to be responsive to local circumstances, whilst making a contribution to a positive future for the area. 

• EDAN works towards promoting the arts and enhancing the value of the culture of the local region in a way that recognises and pays homage to the past but at the same time wishes to contribute to a different and positive future for East Durham. 

• EDAN operates a membership system for those who wish to be directly involved. Anyone who has an interest in developing and sharing their own artistic skills or in encouraging art as community-based cultural activity and learning can apply to join.  

• EDAN members collaborate with each other and with other local organisations to improve and extend their own professional art practice and also to encourage participation of local people in creative activity, learning and expression.​

• EDAN members are committed to using their own skills and enthusiasm to encourage creativity in the local context and to developing national and international links to develop cultural expression and understanding.  

Membership
 

• Who can join?  Anyone over the age of 18 who supports the development of arts and culture in East Durham can become a member of EDAN. 
   
• What will it cost?  £25 a year. £10 for concessions.