About

Eastgate Green - Lumo ‘Drift’

The Hub delivers an inspiring programme of contemporary craft, design, dance and creative arts experiences, in Sleaford, across North Kesteven and beyond.

Home to the national centre for craft and design, our celebrated exhibitions showcase contemporary artists and makers from around the world. Our vibrant shop stocks an ever-changing collection of handmade craft objects and design gifts, and our contemporary CaféBar is a great place to meet and enjoy locally sourced specialty food and drink.

The Hub offers a dynamic public programme of workshops, talks, classes, competitions, special events and performances for everyone of all ages and abilities. We deliver creative activities in schools and care settings, and we work with communities and partners to coordinate projects, events, festivals, celebrations and public commissions.

We strive to make arts and culture accessible to all, promoting inclusivity, diversity and cultural democracy in all that we do. Visit the Hub and experience the power of creativity to transform lives, connect communities and enrich the world around us.

The Hub is an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation, owned and supported by North Kesteven District Council and operated by Better who is part of GLL; a charitable social enterprise and the UK’s largest public leisure operator. GLL are a Real Living Wage employer.

Image: Michael Shaw, U-Too 2021, ACTIVATE / PARTICIPATE Private View

Get in touch

General enquiries — info@hub-sleaford.org.uk

For information about our exhibitions — exhibitions@hub-sleaford.org.uk

To hire a space at the Hub — hires@hub-sleaford.org.uk

Book workshops & events or to stock in our shop — shop@hub-sleaford.org.uk

For school or group bookings — learning@hub-sleaford.org.uk

For press, advertising & marketing — marketing@hub-sleaford.org.uk

Hub
Navigation Wharf, Carre Street, Sleaford,
Lincolnshire, NG34 7TW
+44 (0) 1529 308 710

History


Following a £1.2 million refurbishment in May 2021, we re-opened our doors following a year of disruption and closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Alongside a new look centre, we also renamed the centre to the Hub, while maintaining our status as a national centre for craft & design.

As the Hub, the centre now provides a multi-arts offer that incorporates a strong dance programme at the Hub and in the community of North Kesteven. The refurbishment saw us completely reshape and re-purpose the centre with new studio, workshop and gallery spaces on the ground floor, alongside an improved shop and cafe bar that now incorporates a stunning jetty seating area overlooking the River Slea.

Back in 2011 we became the National Centre for Craft and Design (NCCD), but our history goes back a lot further than this. Prior to our NCCD re-brand, we spent nine years as The Hub, after transferring from The Pearoom in Heckington which was turned into a heritage, craft and tourism centre for the village in the 1970’s. Until our move to Sleaford in 2003, our current home was a seed warehouse from 1939 to 1972 and a storage area thereafter.

In 2018, artsNK merged with NCCD, bringing together staff, facilities, expertise and resources. The merger of artsNK and NCCD saw the NCCD building (Now the Hub) become the home of an expanded multi-arts programme, delivering creative and cultural experiences across North Kesteven through a dynamic multi-arts programme of exhibitions, workshops and education initiatives, events, performances, community arts projects, festivals & retail.

North Kesteven’s arts development team was founded in 1995. A unique team of visual and performing arts specialists, artsNK initiated and supported creative projects across North Kesteven, Lincolnshire and the East Midlands. Based at The National Centre for Craft & Design (The Hub) and working in villages and communities, the organisation provided specialist support and expertise to enrich community-based projects and allow more people to take part in meaningful and inspiring arts experiences.

Learn more about our long and rich history as a champion of craft and design here.

Read about artsNK legacy here.