Can you believe it? Tŷ Pawb is five years old!

And what a five years it’s been! Since that wet, wonderful Bank Holiday Monday back in 2018, when 10,000 people came out to see us to open our doors for the first time, Tŷ Pawb has grown to become a thriving, multi-award winning markets, arts and community facility, an Art Fund Museum of the Year finalist, and a nationally recognised, pioneering example of how to reimagine a public building.

These achievements would not have been possible without the extraordinary efforts of the community of traders, artists, staff, volunteers and all the other countless groups and individuals who form part of our Tŷ Pawb family.

So, to celebrate this milestone, we’ve been delving through our short (but sizable) archives to pick out some of the best moments from our first five years. Moments that sum up what Tŷ Pawb is all about.

Summing up our story in a short space has been quite the task! A lot has happened since 2018….

• We’ve welcomed over 1,240,400 people through our doors.
• We’ve displayed 31 exhibitions, featuring over 700 artists.
• We’ve hosted over 300 performances.
• We’ve become home to  over 30 traders offering a wide range of exciting products and homemade food.
• We’ve won awards, including the Gold Medal for Architecture at the Llangollen Eisteddfod, Architects Journal Retrofit of the Year & Best Cultural Building under £5m.
• In 2022, we reached the final five shortlist for Art Fund’s Museum of The Year – the biggest museum prize in the World!

‘A brilliant and brave idea’

Cllr Hugh Jones said: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved with Tŷ Pawb for their contribution in creating something, unique, ground breaking and truly special in Wrexham city centre.

“Over five years, Tŷ Pawb’s distinctive cultural and commercial offer has grown and evolved into a fantastic facility, loved locally and recognised nationally and internationally as a leading example of how to reimagine an existing building into a thriving community space. It has also shown enormous resilience, innovation, and creativity to meet the challenges of a turbulent world, when required; the superb Arts At Home programme, delivered during lockdown, being a perfect example of this.”

“Throughout all of this, the team have stayed true to Tŷ Pawb’s core vision of bringing arts, markets and communities together under one roof, inspired by the belief that art can be a tool for social change.

“Tŷ Pawb has also made an invaluable contribution to Wrexham’s burgeoning cultural scene. As well as drawing national and international coverage and acclaim in its own right, it played a key role in helping us to reach the final shortlist for City of Culture in 2022.”

“Art Fund’s Museum of the Year judges described Tŷ Pawb as: ‘A brilliant and brave idea’. Everyone in Wrexham can be very proud to have this on our doorstep. We are all excited to see what exciting times lie in the years ahead.”

Five years of Tŷ Pawb

Here’s a look back at some of the best moments from our first five years…

Markets

Tŷ Pawb’s Market and Food Court are a celebration and continuation of Wrexham’s rich, market town heritage.

We are home to over 30 local businesses – the heart and soul of daily life at Tŷ Pawb.

These businesses have helped to make Tŷ Pawb a joyful and inspired shopping experience for visitors, and a treasure trove of unique gift ideas for all interests and ages.

Here’s a photo that quite beautifully sums up the story of markets in Wrexham. Three generations of a local family business in one image. Starting with Edgar Jones, photographed here with his wife, Nancy, at Wrexham’s Vegetable Market in 1946. The baton was passed on to daughter, Esme, and, most recently, onto Jeanette. Esme’s children’s clothing shop traded at The People’s Market, before it was transformed into Tŷ Pawb. It’s still going strong now, thanks to the dedication of this proud Wrexham family.

This photo was taken to create Alan Dunn’s dazzling Wal Pawb FOUR WORDS RECIPE murals , now on show in our market hall!

Arts

Since 2018, we’ve displayed 31 exhibitions, featuring over 700 artists, including Greyson Perry, Sean Edwards, Bedwyr Williams, Helen Sear, Anya Paintsil and Alessendra Savoritti.

Hundreds of artists from all over the UK and beyond have submitted artworks to be part of our ever popular open call exhibitions.

Through our arts programme, we’ve endeavoured to provide inclusive exhibitions, public programme events and socially engaged projects, emphasising skills and craft, and working with emerging and established artists from all backgrounds.

Performance

In our first five years, we’ve hosted over 300 performances, including live music, film showings and theatre productions, featuring performers such as Gwenno, Adwaith and The Trials of Cato.

Our Comedy Night has become one of our most popular fixtures and is often sold out well in advance!

Families

We love seeing happy families! Thousands of you have attended hundreds of our learning activities over our first 5 years. As well as our ever popular holiday activities, we’ve also offered masterclasses for young people through our Criw Celf & Portffolio programmes, and our Family Art Club continues to grow every Saturday!

Community

Our final birthday highlight is all about you – the wonderful communities that bring Tŷ Pawb to life. Seeing the building buzzing with people is a wonderful experience for all of us, and one we just can’t get enough of! There is simply no place like it on a busy day. We are so proud to be at the heart of this incredible city. Thank you to all of you for your amazing support. Roll on the next five years!

We are delighted to be in a position to recruit for the Tŷ Pawb Advisory Board. We are therefore encouraging applications for individuals to apply for these positions.

Since opening in 2018, Tŷ Pawb has been on an exciting journey. Highs include representing Wales at the Venice Biennale in 2019, receiving multiple architectural awards, being shortlisted for Art Fund’s Museum of the Year 2022, forming part of Wrexham’s UK City of Culture campaign, and becoming a partner in Race Council Cymru’s North Wales Multicultural Hub, funded by Welsh Government. Partnerships have developed with National Trust, Crafts Council, National Museum of Wales, and colleagues from the Association of Arte Util, amongst others.

Like the rest of the sector and indeed the world, Tŷ Pawb has also weathered the storm of Covid over the past 3 years. This has led to some changes in the way we operate and how our programmes are delivered, including: the transformation of 1) Gallery 2 into The Useful Art Space; 2) our shop into a Maker Space; 3) part of our multi-storey car park into a community rooftop garden in addition to a staff restructure to focussing our growth.

The organisation is poised for further change. An options appraisal is currently underway to explore possible future delivery models for Tŷ Pawb either in or outside the local authority; we will also be applying to the Arts Council of Wales Investment Review and if successful gain multi-year support and potentially increased funding which would significantly expand what we are able to offer.

There are a number of unknowns but in the short term, with change on the horizon, we are seeking focussed support from an advisory board with particular regard to the development of the arts programming at Tŷ Pawb. This includes the exhibition programme, the Useful Art Space, the Multicultural Hub, Maker Space, Roof Garden, education programmes and intersections with the market hall and car park.

The advisory board meets every 2 months, for no more than 2 hours. We would be delighted if you would consider your interest for this as we need a strong Board to help shape our plans going forward for the development of Tŷ Pawb.

Attached are the Terms of Reference which outline the criteria needed to be successful in the related post.

Prospective Board Members are invited to submit written expressions of interest in support of the criteria set out in the terms of reference.

We are also seeking expressions of interest for Chair and Vice-Chair of the Advisory Board. The existing Board will then shortlist before confirming final next stages/selections.

Please submit an expression of interest along with a current CV or equivalent to typawb@wrexham.gov.uk with e-mail subject line ‘ADVISORY BOARD’ and your name before the deadline of 12pm, Tuesday 7 March.

Cymraeg Polskie Português عربي தமிழ் සිංහල

Open Call for Artist Facilitators: Multilingual Family Art Club
Tŷ Pawb is seeking expressions of interest from artists who are bilingual (or multilingual) to deliver monthly sessions as part of our reimagined Family Art Club.

About Us
Tŷ Pawb is a cultural community resource, bringing together arts and markets within the same footprint. This coexistence celebrates the significance of markets within Wrexham’s cultural heritage and identity. Tŷ Pawb is a space for dialogue around subjects including social and civic issues, the environment, health, cultural identity, sustainability and education.

Background
Family Art Club has been a consistent part of the Tŷ Pawb programme since our launch, offering families the opportunity to engage with artist-led creative making every Saturday morning in term time. The club encourages making not just for children, but for parents and carers as well. The club is offered on a ‘pay what you can’ basis.

As part of our ongoing mission to reflect and engage with Wrexham’s diverse communities, we are changing the format of Family Art Club to incorporate a broader range of delivery languages than just Welsh and English.

The Project
Multilingual Family Art Club will welcome families of all backgrounds to participate. While the emphasis is on art, sessions will be offered bilingually, giving families the opportunity to take part in the artist’s first/additional language or in English. They should accommodate both first language speakers and beginners, with an emphasis on having fun and ‘giving it a go’ over formal teaching of either English or another language.

Four artists will deliver the programme, each leading one session per month. Artists will meet regularly to ensure that activities offer enough variety of materials and techniques for families to try.

Person Specification

• Registered self-employed and eligible to work in the UK
• Able to communicate to a good standard in English or Welsh in addition to being able to communicate to a good standard in another language
• Experience of developing and delivering high quality creative participatory arts activities for children, supporting different needs and abilities within a group environment
• Strives to create a warm, welcoming and inspiring learning experience for a diverse range of families
• Committed to upholding our safeguarding policy procedures to ensure the wellbeing and safety of our participants
• This role is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

Deliverables
To provide session plans in advance to the Arts Engagement Coordinator.

To ensure that appropriate equipment and materials are prepared in advance of the sessions, (with assistance from Tŷ Pawb caretakers setting-up tables and chairs).

To research, design and deliver 6 creative workshops, these should:

• Be inspired by Wrexham’s cultural diversity or Wrexham as The Capital of Play
• Include a range of art forms, techniques and materials
• Be suitable for families with children aged 4-11 years
• Be inclusive for all participants regardless of their language ability

To collect and record information for our reporting commitments including:

• Participant attendance numbers
• Participant feedback
• Photo consent forms and photographs of the sessions (both to be provided to our Marketing Officer)

To ensure that the Useful Art Space and Family Art Club Cupboard are returned to a good state of condition at the end of the session, and that all materials and equipment is stored safely and tidily.

To comply with Tŷ Pawb health and safety, safeguarding and environmental policy, and to treat everyone involved in the project in a respectful, equitable manner.

Fee & Timeline

We are looking to deliver a total of 40 sessions across 2023/24.

This means that each artist involved on the project will deliver 10 sessions each at a rate of £125 per session, resulting in a total fee of £1250.

In addition, each artist will manage a project budget of up to £250 to pay for any specialist materials or equipment not already available in Tŷ Pawb.

Multicultural Family Art Club will launch on Saturday 4^th February.

Expressions of Interest

To express your interest in this role, please email a CV and any relevant web links to heather.wilson@wrexham.gov.uk Links could include a portfolio, videos under 5 minutes, social media or other content that demonstrates your suitability for the role.

We welcome applications from speakers of all additional languages (including British Sign Language), especially those most used in Wrexham including Polish (2.49%) and Portuguese (0.53%).

The ideal candidate will have a good understanding of Tŷ Pawb’s ‘Arte Util’ ethos.

Tŷ Pawb and North East Wales Community Cohesion team/Wrexham County Borough Council have been named as a recipient of the Welsh Government grants to support the delivery of the culture, heritage and sport goals and actions in the Welsh Government’s Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan.

The Action Plan is part of the Welsh Government’s Programme for Government and Co-operation Agreement commitments.

More than £2.8m has been shared between 22 local, regional, national or independently run culture, heritage and sport organisations across Wales, to be spent over the next three years.

£1.67m has also been awarded to the Welsh Government’s cultural and sport arm’s length bodies.

All projects receiving funding have a focus on co-production, demonstrating a commitment to placing lived experience at the center of policy, service development and delivery.

Funding to support North Wales Multicultural HUB

Tŷ Pawb’s project will be co-led with the North East Wales Community Cohesion team, working in close partnership with Race Council Cymru.

The funding will support the future development of the recently established “North Wales Multicultural HUB”, an exciting new pilot programme being delivered in Tŷ Pawb, working in partnership with Race Council Cymru and the diverse communities and stakeholders across North East Wales.

The HUB projects will utilise Tŷ Pawb’s Useful Art Space to host a range of activities led by Wrexham’s diverse communities; these will be directed by participants, and will include arts and crafts, music and dance, culinary exchanges, cultural celebrations and other exciting activities.

Project will include culture, art, heritage and sports opportunities

Cllr Hugh Jones, Lead Member with responsibility for Tŷ Pawb said: “The grant funding award is fantastic news and will be key in supporting us to deliver the outcomes of the Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan.

“The funding will support the excellent partnership work being undertaken by Tŷ Pawb, our Community Cohesion team and Race Council Cymru, reaching out to local and regional diverse community groups and empowering them to actively lead and take advantage of cultural, arts, heritage and sport opportunities.”

“I wish the teams every success with the project and look forward to seeing the development of the exiting new North Wales Multicultural HUB pilot in Wrexham.”

Dawn Bowden MS Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport, and Chief Whip said: “Our national and local museums, galleries, libraries, theatres, and sporting venues need to be inclusive of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people and places. Our culture, heritage and sports services must be culturally competent and reflective of the history and contribution made by Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people to Welsh society.

“I am committed to delivering the goals and actions in the Anti-racist Wales Action Plan and the Programme for Government commitments within my portfolio. I look forward to our continued progress as we deliver meaningful change with and for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people across Wales.”

Professor Uzo Iwobi CBE – Founder and CEO Race Council Cymru said: “Race Council Cymru is delighted that its Wrexham Multicultural Hub had worked with partners to propose a brilliant initiative which will make a huge difference to the lives of our front line and grassroots ethnic communities. We are looking forward to the transformational change this grant will bring”

Iolanda Viegas – Race Council Cymru, North Wales Representative said: “We are very thrilled and grateful for this funding that will support the Multicultural Hub to engage and work with the diverse communities from North Wales.”

Main image credit: Tim Rooney Photography

Tŷ Pawb has been accredited as a Quality Assured Attraction by Visit Wales following a recent assessment.

The assessment and accreditation reflects the visitor experience, the quality of the product and services offered by the attraction and its staff.

Cllr Hugh Jones, Lead Member with responsibility for Tŷ Pawb said, “This is excellent news and is very well deserved. It is a testament to the vision we had several years ago to transform a struggling market hall into an attraction to combine markets, arts and community that would be a welcoming place for people of all ages and culture.

“Tŷ Pawb recognises the heritage of Wrexham which is clear in many of its exhibitions whilst also looking to support and nurture the emerging talent and businesses which is produced in Wrexham.

“I would like to thank traders, staff and visitors who have all contributed to this recognition by Visit Wales. I know they all have a very positive outlook and their determination and creativity has helped shaped Tŷ Pawb into the unique venue it is today.”

ARTS, MARKETS, COMMUNITY EVENTS – GET NEWS FROM TŶ PAWB STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport, Dawn Bowden, recently visited Tŷ Pawb and said: “After seeing what Tŷ Pawb has to offer, I’d like to congratulate the team at Tŷ Pawb for their recent accreditation from Visit Wales – a well-deserved recognition for the quality of the visitor experience.  I’m delighted that the Welsh Government has been able to assist with the journey of transforming this space into a vibrant hub of activity for both the community and visitors.”

Since opening in 2018 the venue has gone from strength to strength, winning a number of awards along the way. Tŷ Pawb was a finalist in the Art Fund Museum of the Year competition only this year. It is recognised nationally and internationally as a quality destination and attracts visitors and artists from far and wide.

It is home to over 30 independent traders offering local produce for sale by market traders and at its busy food hall. It has a high quality art gallery that’s currently exhibiting the Tŷ Pawb Open featuring works by over 150 artists from across the country, working in a range of mediums including paint, print and sculpture.

It has space for everyone and regularly hosts special events including pop-up markets, craft fairs, live music and sport. It will be a fanzone when Wales play in the World Cup.

All in all it adds up to a fabulous day out for shoppers and visitors of all ages.

Find out more about all our upcoming events here

The journey is over but wow, what a ride it’s been!

Congratulations to Horniman Museum and Gardens, the winners of Art Fund Museum of the Year 2022 – the largest museum prize in the world!

Tŷ Pawb was one of five museums shortlisted for the prize. The other finalists included Derby Museums, Museum of Making (Derby), Horniman Museum and Gardens (London), People’s History Museum (Manchester), The Story Museum (Oxford).

The award was presented by DJ and broadcaster Huw Stephens at a ceremony in the spectacular setting of the Design Museum, London.

The announcement was broadcast live on The One Show, BBC1, to millions watching around the UK.

Each of the finalist museums receives a £15,000 prize in recognition of their achievements.

Cllr Hugh Jones, Lead Member for Environment, said: “For Tŷ Pawb to be named among the five best museums in the UK is an absolutely amazing achievement. We can feel very proud to be runners-up on a shortlist that included such outstanding museums from around the country.

“It has been wonderful to see the spotlight on Tŷ Pawb and Wrexham over the last few weeks, to see our national profile grow, and to see the team’s hard work recognised at the very highest level. I’m sure many more exciting times like this lie ahead for us.“

“Congratulations to Horniman Museum and Gardens. Our thanks to all the judges and to Art Fund for organising a superb competition. Thanks also to everyone at Tŷ Pawb, including architects’ Featherstone Young, and all the traders, artists, volunteers and team members who have helped make Tŷ Pawb’s unique vision a reality – to bring arts, markets and communities together under one roof.”

Speaking about the winners, Jenny Waldman, Art Fund director and chair of the judges, said: “The Horniman museum and gardens has now blossomed into a truly holistic museum bringing together art, nature and its myriad collections.

“Its values are woven through everything it now does, with a passionate team breathing life and meaning into every object, performance, plant and animal. In many ways it’s the perfect museum, and I would encourage everyone to go and experience all it has to offer.”

Art Fund, the UK’s national charity for art, awards Art Fund Museum of the Year annually to one outstanding museum. The 2022 edition champions organisations whose achievements tell the story of museums’ creativity and resilience, and particularly focuses on those engaging the next generation of audiences in innovative ways. Art Fund Museum of the Year is the largest museum prize in the world.

The members of this year’s judging panel, chaired by Art Fund Director Jenny Waldman, are: Dame Diane Lees, Director-General, Imperial War Museums; Harold Offeh, artist and educator; Dr Janina Ramirez, cultural historian and broadcaster, and Huw Stephens, BBC Radio 6 DJ and broadcaster.