The auxiliary (est. 2016) is a sonic arts organization based in Stockton-On-Tees, A ONCE PROMINENT INDUSTRIAL AREA OF NORTHEAST ENGLAND. SPREAD OVER THREE FLOORS OF A 19th century tOWNHOUSE. The auxiliary is a raw and malleable live/work space that invites artists to reimagine and reconfigure the space around their practices needs; from workspace to gallery, meeting point to studio. always a space for critical thinking, the Auxiliary values practices that are experimental and ambitious. Curatorially, The Auxiliary is a site for the production of sound art practices that encourages and promotes the sonic arts through investigating the rich local industrial heritage through artistic inquiry and reimagining the tees valley as a site for invigorated, creative industries. ENABLing LOCAL, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS IN DEVISING INDEPENDENT ART PLATFORMS AND STRUCTURES FOR THE DISSEMINATION OF CONTEMPORARY art PRACTICES THROUGHOUT TEESSIDE, producing legacy through long term projects and community engagement. fostering cultural exchange with international organisations and artists that share a similar ethos. THE AREA. STOCKTON IS A LARGE MARKET TOWN WITH A POPULATION OF ABOUT 85,000. AN HOUR SOUTH OF NEWCASTLE AND A THREE HOUR DRIVE FROM THE SCOTTISH BORDER, STOCKTON ONCE THRIVED IN THE SHIPBUILDING AND IRON INDUSTRIES. THIS BEGAN TO DECLINE IN THE 1930’S, WITH A FULL STOPPAGE OF IRON PRODUCTION IN THE AREA IN 2015 RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF OVER 2,000 JOBS. THE TEES VALLEY IS CULTURALLY DIVERSE – THROUGH THE 1960’S THERE WAS AN INFLUX OF ASIAN IMMIGRANTS, AND IN 2015, MIDDLESBROUGH HOUSED MORE ASYLUM SEEKERS PER CAPITA THAN ANY OTHER PLACE IN THE UK. MANY CHARITIES AND RELIGIOUS ORGANISATIONS HAVE BEEN SET UP TO AID ASYLUM SEEKERS HOUSED HERE. THE AREA IS BORDERED BY THE A19 MOTORWAY, THE SEA, NATURE RESERVES, AND A 290 HECTARE BIOLOGICAL SITE OF SPECIFIC SCIENTIFIC INTEREST and chemical production CALLED SEAL SANDS. THE TEAM Space layout |