Oxford North launches Engage STEAM programme with IF Oxford, Modern Art Oxford, Creation Theatre and Fusion Arts
Oxford North, the new global innovation district in Oxford, has launched Engage, its art, culture, social value and legacy programme which focuses on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) to be delivered by IF Oxford, the region’s science and ideas festival in collaboration with Modern Art Oxford, Creation Theatre and Fusion Arts.
Oxford North Engage is a mechanism to animate Oxford North, integrate it within its context and Oxford’s vibrant art scene and to create opportunities for the community.
The long-term programme is to include community involvement and legacy-building which has already commenced with its Community Employment Plan which, since construction work started, has seen more than 1,720 people employed, 49 apprentices created and 636 hours of volunteering, and for its art and culture programme to build ahead of the district’s opening later this year.
The Engage collaboration will allow IF Oxford to commission content to create a range of immersive activities. The inaugural year will include a public event at Oxford North to be held in October as part of the IF Oxford Science & Ideas Festival.
It will include a year-round project with Modern Art Oxford to provide monthly workshops with local community group Children Heard and Seen; Creation Theatre to provide script, staging and actors for a piece of theatre at Oxford North; Glow Your Own, a six week coding and fabrication project to integrate with Modern Art Oxford’s programme and Oxford Christmas Light Festival; and Fusion Arts for workshops and temporary artwork integrated with Creation Theatre.
Oxford North Ventures is the joint venture company of Thomas White Oxford, the development company of St John’s College, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan and Stanhope.
The Engage programme has been led by Contemporary Art Society *Consultancy in collaboration with local groups and robust and transparent governance through its Oxford North Public Art Steering Group (PASG).
Established in 2023, the PASG representation has included planning, design, community, youth, arts, culture and scientific interest groups which has comprised: two local residents, three local sixth-form students, Oxford City Council’s culture and community development manager, IF Oxford, and Modern Art Oxford along with the project’s masterplan architects and landscape architects. The PASG has acted as a stakeholder advisory body that has made recommendations for ratification to the joint venture’s decision-makers.
Oxford North Engage has been developed by CAS *Consultancy and has centred on and sought to enhance the project’s core purpose to establish a world class research and innovation district for the UK and Europe, and attract world-leading talent to a unique and highly skilled community that is Oxford.
Victoria Collett, development director, Thomas White Oxford said: “It has been a really positive experience convening our steering group to canvas local stakeholders, community collaborators, life science professionals and students’ opinions to deliver public art and engagement programmes. The art will be woven into Oxford North’s ethos and landscape both now and in the future, with community engagement programming for years to come and builds on the positive impact we have had in creating construction jobs, apprenticeships and opportunities for people living locally. There’s lots more to do together and we thank the steering group for all their commitment and insight to reach this point.”
Jordan Kaplan, senior art producer, CAS *Consultancy added: “We are proud of and take great pride in Oxford North Engage, a thoughtfully co-designed initiative to ensure individuals of all ages can access, benefit and fully enjoy the vibrant arts and culture that Oxford has to offer. This programme is dedicated to fostering inclusivity, ensuring that the city’s rich tapestry of cultural experiences is available to everyone, creating lasting connections and memories.”
Dane Comerford, chief executive officer, IF Oxford: “It’s a privilege to be part of and influence discussions about our knowledge economy and to introduce diverse, truthful, ideas into shared experiences.
“The name IF Oxford, starts with a question of possibility, and the Festival creates encounters that embed science and human imagination into everyday life for an enormous range of people and organisations.
“Oxford North’s Engage programme builds on and firms up existing foundations by bringing together major players and lesser-heard voices and offers inclusive public opportunities through theatre, craft manufacturing, arts and hands-on activities for everyone.”
Paula Redway, culture and community development manager, Oxford City Council added: “We’re pleased to see this long-term programme being embedded, which puts culture, community and inclusion at its heart. Oxford is a global centre for science, innovation and the arts, with a vibrant cultural life. This partnership will enable people of all ages – from young people to lifelong learners – to access and enjoy the meaningful opportunities that come with living in such a dynamic city. This is a fantastic example of how new developments can deliver long-lasting cultural, economic and social value for Oxford’s communities.”
Holly Broughton, curator, communities, practice & participation, Modern Art Oxford: “We’re excited to be partnering with Oxford North on the Engage programme, supporting sustained and accessible approaches to working with our communities in Oxford. This partnership recognises the organisations, charities, local artists and creatives, and communities contributing to the rich cultural ecology of the city and has facilitated the development of meaningful collaborations.”
Oxford North’s Phase 1a began construction in 2023 to form the first three buildings: The Red Hall with the ground floor to provide a cafe-bar, retail units, community space, and co-working spaces and four floors of workspace, along with two laboratory buildings to boost science and technology discovery. The Witney Road (A40) and Woodstock Road (A44) have been transformed to promote walking, cycling and bus use and a new street has been formed named Thomas White Street. The Hill Group’s first new homes on Canalside Quarter are under construction and have recently welcomed the first new residents. Oxford North is due to open in autumn 2025.
Acting on behalf of Oxford North Ventures are CAS *Consultancy, Fletcher Priest Architects, Gustafson Porter + Bowman and People Friendly Design.
For further information, please contact:
Olivia Lane-Nott Spacecraft Consulting for Oxford North olivia@spacecraftconsulting.com
07968 081 128
***High resolution images attached***:
1. Oxford North’s Public Art Steering Group – June 2025 L to R: Jonathan Kendall, Fletcher Priest Architects, Amira Korkor (local resident), Tom Storey, Storey Consulting, Victoria Collett, Thomas White Oxford, Dr Georgy Kantor, St John’s College, Jordan Caplan, CAS Consultancy, Dane Comerford, IF Oxford, Andrew Bramwell (local resident), Simon Ruck, Managing Director, Holloy Broughton, Modern Art Oxford, Sibylla Hartel, Gustafson Porter + Bowman, and three Sixth Form Students
2. Modern Art Oxford providing monthly workshops with local community group Children Heard and Seen at Whytham Woods
3. Modern Art Oxford providing monthly workshops with local community group Children Heard and Seen – nature painting
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