Shining a light on a creative future in Medway

In March, Kent Invicta Chamber Patrons gathered at The Historic Dockyard Chatham to celebrate its pivotal role in the development and growth of the creative sector and the skills required to support it.

Organised by Kent Invicta Chamber, the event showcased the very best of the creative facilities, education and training that are on offer at the Dockyard site.

The event coincides with a significant period of transformation for the Dockyard which, historically, was one of the country’s largest and most important industrial sites, renowned for its maritime heritage. Now, with two universities and the Medway School of Arts (operated by MidKent College), on site, and the development of the new Docking Station creative arts facility underway, the area is rapidly realising its vision of becoming a leading centre for arts, creativity and culture in the South East.

Attendees toured the unique creative spaces across the Dockyard, starting with an exhibition of students’ work in the Medway School of Arts, before visiting the University of Kent’s Smitheries Motion Capture Studio, the performance space in the Galvanising Shop, and the Dockyard’s new ‘Brickwrecks: Sunken Ships in LEGO Bricks’ exhibition.

The evening also presented an opportunity for attendees to find out more about the Docking Station project, a partnership between the University of Kent, Medway Council and Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust (CHDT) which is transforming an historic police building into a creative arts facility housing virtual production and motion capture technologies for use by local businesses, students and communities.

Having signed up to the One Medway Charter, the University of Kent, MidKent College and CHDT are committed to working together with fellow signatories to exploit opportunities to drive social and economic change in the area.

David Sefton, Director of the Institute of Cultural and Creative Industries, said: ‘As a University, we are always looking for opportunities to maximise our regional impact so it was fantastic to be able to share our vision for the Docking Station with fellow Chamber Patrons and inspire them to consider how, together, we can lead positive change both in Medway and across the region.’

Tudor Price, CEO of Kent Invicta Chamber, said: ‘The UK is a world leader in creative and digital arts and the facilities being created here at the Dockyard will ensure the sector within Kent and Medway has the opportunity of playing an ever more significant role in this world class industry. Training the next generation through stateof-the-art technology provides an important competitive foundation for the local area and will drive economic growth. This is a fantastic project and demonstrates the value of investment for the future.’

Simon Cook, Principal of MidKent College said: ‘We’re incredibly proud to be a Patron of Kent Invicta Chamber and to support the fantastic work it does for businesses across the region. It was a pleasure to welcome fellow Patrons to Medway and showcase the exciting developments happening here. In particular, we were delighted to introduce them to the Medway School of Arts, which is growing steadily and gaining a brilliant reputation as the new home of university-level creative education in the towns.’

Richard Morsley, CEO of CHDT, said: ‘The Historic Dockyard Chatham has long been a centre of innovation and industry, and today it is inspiring a new generation of creative talent. Our longstanding partnership with the University of Kent, alongside the more recent addition of MidKent College’s Medway School of Arts, strengthens the Dockyard’s role as a thriving hub for education, business, and creative industries. The Dockyard is an integral part of Medway’s past and present, and working together, we are shaping a future where the creative sector significantly contributes to economic growth and opportunity. We are incredibly proud to be part of this transformative journey and under the One Medway Charter we look forward to seeing these partnerships continue to flourish and make lasting impact on the region.’

Photography by Medway School of Arts students