Story & Studio CIC

28/08/2026

We love a doodle board, but what’s better than a doodle board? A doodle cube obviously.

26/08/2026

Swipe to paint ➡️

24/08/2026

Mural painting today in Thorntree! Always a pleasure to work with local young people to design and paint amazing art in their spaces.

Huge thanks to for helping us out 🙌🫟

21/08/2026

A creative planning day for Aisha & Chris 🫟

Planning creative consultation workshops and designing materials with .workshop; then planning our series of “Light” themed workshops culminating at the end of October with heading up these sessions 👀

More to come on both of these 🙌

16/08/2026

BORO MELA 2026

Thank you to everyone who came and tagged our huge doodle cube- you’ve created something quite special ❤️

It was so lush to get creative with visitors of all age, making banners and chatting! We had some great food and met wonderful people.

Special shoutout to the organisers of for having us 🫟

15/08/2026

Middlesbrough Mela day one 🫟

Doodle cube and tagging banners- come see us tomorrow to do some art!

14/08/2026

We’ll be at MELA this weekend! Come and tag some banners, contribute to our doodle cube and do some art 🎨

The wait is almost over – the 2026 Middlesbrough Mela is finally here!

The UK’s longest running Mela opens on Saturday with its trademark celebration of culture, music and diversity.

Albert Park plays host to the internationally renowned event over the coming weekend as it returns for a staggering 36th year.

Organisers have laid on a world-class feast of entertainment, food from around the globe, family fun and vibrant cultural experiences.

The multicultural showcase attracts visitors from across the region and beyond for its unrivalled blend of live performance, entertainment and mouth-watering food from around the world.

Festival-goers can expect a vibrant mix of international headliners, home-grown talent, dance acts and family favourites throughout the weekend.

A star-studded main stage line-up includes a renowned tribute to pop legend Michael Jackson on Saturday and international super star Miss Pooja, one of the world’s most talented female Punjabi artists.

Beyond the music, Middlesbrough Mela is renowned for its dazzling selection of international food and drink, bustling shopping bazaar, free cultural workshops, giant funfair and extensive programme of children’s activities.

With something for all ages and backgrounds, Middlesbrough Mela 2026 is set to be an unforgettable celebration of culture, community and world-class entertainment.

BBC Asian Network will once again return as the event’s official broadcast partner and host, strengthening its relationship with Middlesbrough Mela while bringing audiences a packed schedule of entertainment, competitions, giveaways and live coverage across the weekend.

Kash Patel, Executive Director of Middlesbrough Mela and curator of the Main Stage programme, said: “I’m extremely excited for what promises to be yet another mega Mela here in Middlesbrough!

“The build is well under way, with teams working all hours to ensure the festival is ready to open on time.

“We have a fantastic new Main Stage, complete with thrilling pyrotechnics, ready to welcome our amazing local, national and international performers.

“Even our Stall Bazaar has completely sold out, so there’s going to be a real buzz around Albert Park, with a hive of activity throughout the entire weekend.

“All that’s missing now is the great British public – we can’t wait to welcome over 50,000 visitors to experience the colour, culture, music, food and sheer magic of the Mela.”

03/08/2026

🎨 YOUNG CREATIVES — OPEN CALL! 🎨

Are you aged 4–18 and living in the Tees Valley and surrounding areas? We want to see your art! 💜💗

Submit your work for our Young Creatives Art Exhibition at The Zoo Middlesbrough CIC, Middlesbrough, as part of Middlesbrough Art Week.

🖌️ All art forms welcome — painting, drawing, poetry, sculpture, photography & more!

🏝️ Theme: An Island of Neighbours — interpret it however it means to you.

📅 Exhibition: 24 September–3 October 2026

⏰ Deadline: Sunday 13 September

📧 Send a picture of your work to [email protected]

Come and celebrate the incredible young artistic talent across our communities! 🌈✨

If you know a young person or a group that would like to get involved, please SHARE, SHARE, SHARE.

We are happy to answer questions and offer artistic guidance and support where possible, so please do not hesitate to get in touch 😊

30/07/2026

🙌 FIND US AT THE MELA 🙌

You’ll find Story & Studio at this year’s Middlesbrough Mela …how cool is that 😃

Join the team for some artistic fun and workshops. Doodle the day away with us or even create your very own tagging banner 🫟

Come and join us on the weekend of the 15th & 16th August. We’ll be there all weekend 😍💜

Who’s coming? 🙋🏻‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️

29/07/2026

Aisha & Lily working hard on funding bids today 🌻