Creating Opportunities Through Arts, Culture and Community
New Stages Projects CIC is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company based in North Norfolk. We use arts, culture, education and community engagement to improve wellbeing, develop skills, reduce isolation and create opportunities for people of all ages to participate in creative and social activities.
At the heart of our work is the Black Swan Public House and Theatre in North Walsham – a unique community venue that combines a traditional public house with a thriving theatre, arts and community space. The Black Swan serves as a cultural hub where people can connect, learn, perform, create and socialise, helping us deliver our mission of strengthening communities through creativity and shared experiences.
As a social enterprise, any surplus generated through our activities is reinvested into community programmes, events and projects that benefit local people. New Stages Projects CIC is registered in England and Wales (Company Number: 13203008).
New Stages Projects CIC is proud to be a community anchor organisation for North Walsham, using arts, culture, hospitality and social enterprise to support community wellbeing, town centre vitality, tourism, skills development and local economic growth.
Our Mission
To use arts, culture, education and community engagement to improve wellbeing, reduce isolation, develop skills and create opportunities for people of all ages to connect, participate and thrive.
Our Vision
We believe everyone should have access to creative, cultural and social opportunities regardless of their background, circumstances or experience. Our vision is to create stronger, more connected communities where creativity inspires confidence, improves wellbeing and helps people reach their full potential.
Our Community Benefit
As a Community Interest Company, community benefit is at the heart of everything we do. Through our projects and through the Black Swan Public House and Theatre, we create opportunities for people to engage in arts, culture, learning and community life.
Our work focuses on:
- Improving mental health and wellbeing through creative participation.
- Tackling loneliness and social isolation.
- Supporting children and young people to develop confidence and life skills.
- Creating opportunities for lifelong learning and personal development.
- Supporting artists, performers and creative practitioners.
- Increasing access to arts, culture and heritage.
- Bringing communities together through shared experiences and events.
- Supporting local regeneration and community pride.
- Providing inclusive, welcoming and accessible spaces for all.
Any surplus generated through our activities is reinvested into delivering and expanding projects that benefit local communities across North Norfolk and beyond.
Our Story
New Stages was founded with the belief that arts and culture should be accessible to everyone and play a central role in community life.
In 2017, we launched the North Walsham Pop Up People’s Theatre, creating a temporary theatre space that brought professional and community theatre to local audiences. The project welcomed audiences and participants through productions, workshops and community events, demonstrating the appetite for cultural activity in the town.
In 2020, we revived Norwich Fringe Festival after an eight-year absence. Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, we supported artists through commissions, mentoring and professional development opportunities, culminating in an online festival that showcased new work and strengthened Norfolk’s creative sector.
In 2023, we took on the Black Swan Public House and transformed the former function room into a dedicated theatre and community space. Today, the Black Swan Public House and Theatre is home to performances, classes, workshops, wellbeing programmes, community groups, festivals, family activities and local events. It represents our commitment to creating a sustainable community asset that delivers both cultural and social value.
The Black Swan Public House and Theatre
The Black Swan Public House and Theatre is more than a venue; it is a community hub and a key part of our social enterprise model.
By combining hospitality, arts and community activities under one roof, we have created a sustainable space where income generated through the pub helps support creative and community programmes.
The venue provides:
- A professional theatre and performance space.
- Community meeting and activity spaces.
- Workshops, classes and training opportunities.
- Wellbeing and social programmes.
- Live entertainment and cultural events.
- Opportunities for local artists, performers and community groups.
- A welcoming social environment for residents and visitors alike.
The Black Swan enables us to deliver year-round activities while helping ensure the long-term sustainability of our community work.
Supporting the Future of North Walsham
New Stages Projects CIC believes that arts, culture and community activity play a vital role in creating vibrant, resilient and prosperous towns.
Through the Black Swan Public House and Theatre, we are working to help make North Walsham a thriving destination for residents, visitors, artists, businesses and community organisations. We see the venue as a key part of the town’s cultural, social and economic future.
Our ambition is for the Black Swan to be a beating heart of North Walsham – a place where people come together to experience culture, develop skills, share ideas, build relationships and celebrate community life.
We are committed to supporting:
- Community wellbeing and social connection.
- Access to arts, culture and creative opportunities.
- Local talent development and creative careers.
- Tourism and increased visitor numbers to North Walsham.
- Town centre vitality and regeneration.
- Local businesses through increased footfall and partnership opportunities.
- Skills development, volunteering and employment opportunities.
- Pride in place and a positive sense of local identity.
- Opportunities for young people to develop aspirations and confidence.
- A welcoming and inclusive environment for residents and visitors alike.
By attracting audiences, participants, performers and visitors from across Norfolk and beyond, we contribute to the local economy while helping raise the profile of North Walsham as a destination for culture, creativity and community activity.
We believe strong communities are built when culture, business, education and local people work together. Through partnership, innovation and community-led activity, we aim to help create a town where people are proud to live, work, visit and invest.
As we continue to grow, our goal is not simply to deliver events and performances, but to create lasting social, cultural and economic impact that benefits North Walsham for generations to come.
Partnerships
Collaboration is central to our approach. We work alongside local authorities, schools, charities, healthcare providers, community groups, businesses and creative practitioners to deliver projects that create lasting social impact.
Past and current partnerships have included Mancroft Advice Project (MAP), Anteros Arts Foundation, town and parish councils, The Atrium, Catch 21, Norfolk County Council, Active Norfolk, North Norfolk District Council and many other organisations committed to supporting local communities.
Our projects and performances have taken place in theatres, schools, community venues, parks, festivals, public spaces and cultural settings throughout Norfolk and beyond.
Leadership & Governance
New Stages Projects CIC is governed by a Board of Directors who oversee the organisation’s strategic direction, financial management and community benefit objectives. The Board meets regularly to ensure the organisation operates transparently, responsibly and in the best interests of the communities it serves.
Our leadership team and directors bring together experience from the arts, education, healthcare, community development and public engagement sectors, helping ensure our work delivers meaningful social, cultural and economic impact.
Joseph Ballard – Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Joseph Ballard is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of New Stages Projects CIC and has led the organisation since its creation.
With more than 21 years of experience working across the arts, education, community engagement and public sectors, Joseph is passionate about using creativity as a tool to strengthen communities, improve wellbeing and create opportunities for people to thrive.
Alongside his work with New Stages, Joseph has worked professionally as a performer, director, producer, facilitator and educator, delivering projects in theatres, schools, community settings and public spaces across the UK. His experience spans theatre production, festival management, arts education, community engagement, cultural programming and venue management.
Joseph has led and supported projects that bring together arts, culture, wellbeing and community development, creating opportunities for people of all ages to participate, learn new skills and build confidence.
Alongside his creative work, Joseph has been involved in national campaigns, advocacy initiatives and trade union activity, championing inclusion, accessibility, workers’ rights, community participation and opportunities for underrepresented voices. This experience informs New Stages’ commitment to equality, social impact and community-led development.
As CEO, Joseph leads the organisation’s strategic direction, oversees the operation of the Black Swan Public House and Theatre, develops partnerships and funding opportunities, manages projects and programmes, and works with partners across the public, private and voluntary sectors to maximise community benefit.
Joseph’s vision is to establish New Stages and the Black Swan Public House and Theatre as a leading example of how arts, culture, hospitality and social enterprise can work together to create lasting positive change.
Board of Directors
Joseph Ballard
Chief Executive Officer, theatre practitioner, educator and community leader with extensive experience in cultural programming, project management, community engagement and social enterprise development.
Barbara Stackwood
Retired Headteacher with extensive experience in educational leadership, safeguarding, governance and community development. Barbara brings valuable expertise in learning, participation and supporting opportunities for people of all ages.
Dr Khamis Arbid
General Practitioner with extensive experience in healthcare, wellbeing and community support. Khamis provides expertise in public health, social wellbeing and the role of community-led initiatives in improving quality of life.
Together, the Board of Directors ensures that New Stages Projects CIC remains focused on its mission of improving lives through arts, culture, education and community engagement, whilst maintaining strong governance, financial sustainability and accountability to the communities we serve.
Funding and Sustainability
New Stages Projects CIC operates through a blended social enterprise model that combines earned income, grants, sponsorship, fundraising and partnerships.
The Black Swan Public House and Theatre plays a crucial role in this model. Income generated through the venue is reinvested into our community programmes, helping us deliver arts, wellbeing, educational and cultural activities throughout the year.
This approach allows us to reduce reliance on grant funding alone whilst continuing to create meaningful social impact for the communities we serve.
Alongside earned income, our work has been supported by organisations including Arts Council England, the National Lottery Community Fund, Norfolk County Council, Active Norfolk, North Norfolk District Council, the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and other partners who share our commitment to community development and wellbeing.
Funders and Project Partners
Our work has been supported by:
- Arts Council England
- National Lottery Community Fund
- Norfolk County Council
- Active Norfolk
- North Norfolk District Council
- North Walsham Heritage Action Zone Project
- UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF)
- North Walsham Community Shop
- Zest Wellbeing
We are always keen to develop new partnerships and welcome conversations with organisations, funders, businesses and community groups who share our commitment to improving lives through arts, culture and community engagement.
Get Involved
Whether you want to attend an event, volunteer, partner with us, sponsor a project, hire a space, support our work or simply learn more about what we do, we would love to hear from you.
Together, we are creating opportunities, strengthening communities and helping shape a vibrant future for North Walsham and North Norfolk.