Orbis Community is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company with a board of advisors, which is based in multiple sites in Gateshead.

The Orbis Community Board of Directors are Jonpaul Kirvan, Paul Stone and Christopher Yeats (Vane) (Ampersand Inventions).

From exhibitions and creative trails to education programmes, town centre regeneration initiatives and community-led events, our projects create lasting social, cultural and economic impact, demonstrating the power of creativity to strengthen communities and shape a more connected future. With our core team, we have delivered a vast array of projects, exhibitions and workshops led by Jonpaul Kirvan and guided by Melanie Kyles, (Slow Hand Creative Studio).

Orbis Community champions collaboration between creatives and communities.

To achieve this, Orbis Community provides an environment for:

• Affordable Workspace:

  Our business provides affordable and flexible workspace solutions to help entrepreneurs and small businesses thrive without the burden of high overhead costs.

• Fostering Communication:

  We prioritise creating an open and inclusive environment where communication flows freely, fostering creativity, and innovation among our community members.

• Networking and Collaboration:

  Our space is designed to encourage networking and collaboration among like-minded individuals, providing ample opportunities for partnerships and synergies to develop.

• Mentoring:

  We offer a range of mentoring programmes and resources to support the growth and development of our members, connecting them with experienced professionals in their respective fields.

• A Supportive Environment:

  Our community is built on the foundation of support, where members can find the encouragement and the resources needed to overcome challenges and achieve success.

• Business Development:

  We provide resources and guidance for business development, including access to workshops, seminars, and experts to help our members grow their ventures.

• Health and Wellbeing:

  We offer innovative wellness programmes, activities, and workshop/event spaces to promote a healthy environment for our members and businesses.

• Placemaking:

  We are committed to creating a vibrant and dynamic space that reflects the diverse interests and personalities of our community, making it an inspiring place to work and connect.

Organisations and groups who have benefited from Orbis Community spaces and workshops include:

Schools
Cardinal Hume Catholic School, Durham School, Hebburn Comprehensive, Heworth Grange Academy, Jarrow School, Lord Lawson Academy, Nettlesworth Primary School, North Gosforth Academy, Sandhill View Academy, St Anthony’s Girls’ Catholic Academy, St Alban’s Primary School, Thorp Academy, XP Gateshead

Colleges
Gateshead College, Newcastle College, Sunderland College, The Northern School of Art, Hartlepool Campus, The Northern School of Art, Middlesbrough Campus

Universities
Durham University – Department of History,
Newcastle University Fine Art BA • Fine Art MA • Museum, Galleries and Heritage Studies MA, Northumbria University Creative Cultural Industries Management MA • Fashion and Marketing BA • Fashion Design (Sustainable and Ethical) MA • Fine Art BA • Fine Art MA • Business School • School of Design, Arts and Creative Industries,
The University of Edinburgh - Fine Art BA,
The University of Sunderland • Fashion Design and Promotion BA • Film and Media BA • Fine Art BA ,
University of York - Department of Philosophy,
York St John University

Council and Public Sector Partners
Gateshead Council, Adopt North East, Art Diamonds, Children’s Services, Economy, Innovation and Growth, Freeland’s Foundation joint grant proposal – Local Schools, Gateshead Arts Team, Gateshead Council Volunteer Open Day, Gateshead Cultural Education Partnership, Gateshead Economic Policy and Delivery, Jewish Woman’s Aid partnership programme, Northumbria Police Awards, Northumbria Police Town Centre Neighbourhood Policing, Park That Bike, Pride in Gateshead, Public Health Team – HDRC Support, Public Health Team – Substance Misuse, Purple Flag Assessment - Presentation, Q&A with Gateshead Town Centre Manager and Northumbria Police, Shaping the Future of Gateshead – UK Shared Prosperity Fund, The Big Help Out, Bewick Café, Town Centre Vulnerability Training, Tyne and Wear Preservation Trust, Tyne Derwent Way, Vulnerability Training for Night Time Economy Staff, NE Youth, Northumbria Police, North East Combined Authority, North East Museums, Management meetings and staff training, Newcastle City Council Economic Development Team

Organisations and Projects Supported by Orbis Community
V&A Museum, Age UK – Head of Partnerships and Volunteering, Amber Collective, Arts Council England – Creative People and Places Fund, BIPC North East – Business and IP Support in the North East, Clifford Chance Law Firm Exhibition, Chilli Studios, Creative Fuse, DesignLab Nation, Emerald Explorers Photoclub, Festival of Thrift 2024, For the Love of the North, IMPACT+, The Late Shows, North East Seaside Stitchers, Gateshead Pride, GIFT Gateshead International Festival of Theatre, Recovery Connections (part of Gateshead Recovery Partnership), Latrine’s House of Art – Pride in Gateshead, Slow Hand Creative Studio, Snow Peak Way, Sofar Sounds Secret Gig, St Oswald’s, Northumbria and Newcastle Universities for Middlesbrough Art Week - Auxiliary New Graduate Award, Sunderland Software City, The Charlie and Carter Foundation, The Shipley Art Gallery, Wardrobe Gateshead, TICE Textiles Programme, Tyne and Wear Centre Against Unemployment Charity

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Beautiful Pigeon, Cameron McEwan, Charles Monck, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Chris Killip, Design Office, Eadfrith, FaulknerBrowns, Howarth Litchfield, James Longfield Studio, JDDK Architects, John Lonsdale, Lesley McIntyre, Mawson Kerr, Max Cooper-Clark, Napper Architects, Northern Bureau for Architecture, Office HEFT, Owen Luder, Paul Jones, Paul Warrior, Patrizio Martinelli, Peter Yates, Ryder and Yates, SW Architecture, Sebastian Messer, Stephen Roberts, Studio Reiver, Studio Stead, Terry Farrell, Tom Birch, Victor Pasmore, Xsite