Creating culture, connection and community in Whitby.
Flash Company Arts is a Whitby-based creative organisation making joyful, ambitious work with communities of all ages. We bring people together through music, movement, visual arts, storytelling and performance, creating shared cultural experiences that strengthen connection and shape the life of our town.
Whether leading workshops in schools, collaborating with young people on original theatre, or producing festivals and public events, our focus is on imagination, identity, voice and belonging. We believe everyone has something to contribute, and we work hard to nurture the conditions for that contribution to flourish.
Working from Flowergate Hall Community Arts Centre, `the Common Room, The Curious Information Centre and Flowergate Old Chapel we develop programmes, partnerships and shared spaces that support cultural participation, wellbeing and community resilience across Whitby and its surrounding areas.
As Whitby’s Community Anchor Organisation and a system partner with North Yorkshire Council, we play a strategic role in connecting communities, services and partners. We help shape local cultural infrastructure, strengthen creative networks and support long-term cultural development in our place.
Our Mission
Our mission is to break down barriers so that people can shape their lives and communities through creativity.
Through high-quality participatory arts and community-led cultural activity, we support people to develop confidence, skills and voice. We strengthen wellbeing, reduce isolation and build lasting capacity, contributing to a thriving, sustainable cultural ecology in Whitby and the surrounding area.
How We Work
Community voice and co-creation
Local people shape what we do. Our programmes are developed through collaboration, shared decision-making and lived experience.
Rooted in place
Whitby’s heritage, environment and identity inform and inspire our creative practice.
Artistic ambition and quality
We are led by experienced community artists committed to meaningful creative experiences and strong artistic outcomes.
Partnership and leadership
We work across cultural, community and statutory sectors, connecting organisations and aligning activity to strengthen collective impact.
Care and wellbeing
We recognise creativity as central to confidence, wellbeing, belonging and social connection.
A ‘yes we can’ approach
We take a solution-focused stance. When needs or opportunities emerge, we work with others to make things possible.
Long-term resilience
We develop skills, leadership and shared capacity to support sustainable change.
Our Priorities
- Expanding access to arts and cultural participation
- Supporting children and young people to develop creativity, confidence and voice
- Strengthening community connection and reducing isolation
- Supporting wellbeing through creative and community action
- Growing local skills, volunteering and leadership
- Celebrating local culture, heritage and identity
- Strengthening Whitby’s cultural and community infrastructure
Our Role in Whitby
Flash Company Arts is proud to contribute to the strategic development of Whitby’s cultural life. Through creative practice, partnership working and community leadership, we connect people and services, support collaboration and help shape a more confident, resilient and culturally vibrant town.
We are proud to be the Community Anchor Organisation for Whitby and work as a system partner with North Yorkshire Council.
Flash Company Arts 