The Glasshouse

• As the price of energy soars, The Glasshouse International Centre for Music and Baltic Centre for Contemporary Arts have joined Gateshead Council’s Warm Spaces Network to open their doors to the local community this Winter
• The venues are offering free entry to the heated building, as well as free Wi-Fi, charging points, and pay-what-you-can tea and coffee
• The Warm Spaces Network is operating across Gateshead and eligible buildings are encouraged to join the directory

As part of Gateshead Council’s Warm Spaces Network, The Glasshouse and Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art will be opening their doors to the public, no questions asked, to support the local community through the harsh winter months.

As annual energy bills for a typical household rise by about 27%, despite the Government’s renewed price cap promise, for many families and individuals across Gateshead, this cost – alongside the rising cost of food and other essentials – remains simply unaffordable.

Offering free entry to the building, refreshments, and areas for work and play, the Warm Spaces initiative is made up of venues, libraries, town halls, sports clubs and community centres across Gateshead. Members of the local community will be greeted with a warm welcome and treated with dignity and respect in a non-judgemental environment. Sage Gateshead and Baltic are also offering free Wi-Fi and charging spots and Pay What you Can tea and coffee. Both venues have baby-changing facilities and accessible toilets.

The organisations taking part have all signed up for the Warm Spaces charter, which was developed in collaboration with the Gateshead Poverty Truth Commission. The charter guarantees that everyone who visits a Warm Space will be welcomed.

Organisations who want to create a new Warm Space can apply for a grant and receive support such as training sessions to ensure they are of sufficient quality. The Warm Spaces Network is operating across Gateshead and eligible buildings are encouraged to join the directory.

The Glasshouse is open Thursday to Sunday from 9.30 (from 8.45 on Saturday and Sunday) until 6pm on non-performance nights. On performance nights, the building will remain open until one hour after the end of the performance (approximately 11.30pm)

BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art is open Wednesday – Sunday, 10am-6pm.

-ENDS-

Media enquiries: Jackie Thompson, Jackie.thompson@theglasshouseicm.org

Phone: 0191 4434602

Notes to Editors:

Warm Spaces facilities at The Glasshouse:

• Free entry
• Pay What You Decide Tea and Coffee
• Charging facilities
• Parking
  Fully stocked baby changing facilities and toilets stocked with free sanitary products
• Accessible toilets with a Changing Places hoist system
• Children’s Play Space

Warm Spaces facilities at Baltic:

• Free entry
• Pay What You Decide Tea and Coffee
• Charging facilities
• Parking
  Fully stocked baby changing facilities and toilets stocked with free sanitary products
• Free entry Sensory Room

About BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art

• Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art creates and produces exhibitions, events and learning opportunities which explore the role of artists from across the world. Located on Gateshead quayside, BALTIC has 2,600 square metres of exhibition space making it the UK’s largest gallery dedicated to the art and artists of today and tomorrow.
• Baltic welcomes visitors free of charge, all year round to experience art, talks, performance and activities in a fully accessible building. Over 8 million have walked through its doors since opening in 2002. Beyond its bricks, Baltic connects and exchange with communities, individuals and groups exploring creativity, social connections and wider understanding of the world.
• In February 2022, Baltic was awarded the title Gallery of Sanctuary, recognising its efforts in supporting sanctuary seekers, raising awareness of forced migration and celebrating cultures. The title, the first Gallery of Sanctuary in England, was awarded by City of Sanctuary UK, a nationally coordinated network of organisations and services, including cities, universities, theatres and libraries that welcome and support refugees and people seeking asylum. City of Sanctuary’s Awards recognise and celebrate organisations that go above and beyond to welcome people seeking sanctuary.