About The Chapel Collective
A place for practice, a place for performance, a place for becoming...
Where creativity comes alive, and ALL are welcome.
Ann Midiri, Owner & Founder
"The first time I stepped inside this chapel, I knew I had found it."
The Chapel Collective
The idea for The Chapel Collective did not begin with a building. It began with a lifelong belief that creativity has the power to transform lives and strengthen communities.
Throughout my career, I have worked across film, writing, medicine, design, and restoration. Each path introduced me to remarkable people who create in different ways.
Despite their different disciplines, they all shared one thing in common. They needed spaces where creativity could be explored, practiced, and shared.
For years, I imagined finding a historic building that could become that place. A place where heritage would not simply be preserved, but brought to life through the people who walk through its doors.
By preserving this remarkable building while opening it to new generations of makers, learners, performers, and neighbours, we have the opportunity to create something that honours its past- while ensuring its future.
Our Vision
Our vision is to create a living, creative sanctuary where heritage inspires innovation and local talent flourishes alongside visiting artists, and where the community gathers to experience creativity in all of its forms.
Whether someone arrives with decades of
experience, or simply the courage to
begin, they will find a space that
welcomes curiosity, celebrates
expression, and encourages growth.
Why St. Clare's?
Built in 1856 and 1857, St Clare’s Abbey was designed by the renowned Catholic architects Joseph Aloysius Hansom and Charles Hansom as a convent for the Poor Clare Sisters, an enclosed Franciscan order whose life centered on prayer, contemplation, and community. More than 165 years later, the chapel remains one of Darlington’s most remarkable historic spaces. Today, the chapel is recognised as a Grade II* listed building. It represents one of the finest surviving examples of Victorian Gothic Catholic architecture in the country and retains exceptional features, including its rare stone jubé, one of only a handful to survive in England. With its soaring ceilings, remarkable acoustics, intricate stonework, and profound sense of stillness, the chapel inspires creativity simply by being entered. It offers an atmosphere that cannot be recreated in a modern building.
A Living Sanctuary
The Chapel Collective is not changing what makes this chapel special; it is ensuring that future generations have the opportunity to experience it- By filling it with new life through art, music, education, wellbeing, and community.
Historic buildings flourish when they continue to serve their communities. Every exhibition, rehearsal, concert, workshop, lecture, retreat, and community gathering will become another chapter in the continuing story of this extraordinary and historical place.
Community And Economic Impact
The Chapel Collective has been designed to create far more than revenue.
It is intended to become a long term cultural asset that strengthens Darlington’s creative economy,
while providing meaningful opportunities for residents, visitors, artists, schools,charities, and local businesses.
By activating a remarkable historic building with year-round programming,
the project will preserve an important part of the town’s heritage- while helping shape its future.
Supporting Artists
Providing Spaces:
Affordable space to make work, rehearse, exhibit, perform, and collaborate
Nurturing Growth:
Opportunities for mentoring, residencies, networking, and public engagement
Enhancing Community
Fostering Connection:
Workshops, concerts, exhibitions, community meals, talks, wellbeing activities, and creative events that bring people together
Nurturing Belonging:
A welcoming place where everyone, regardless of age, background, or experience, can participate
Benefitting Darlington
Supporting the Economy:
Regular visitors will support cafes, restaurants, shops, accommodation providers, and local businesses
Fostering Diversity:
Providing flexible space for local artists, organisations, charities, schools, festivals, and creative enterprises to collaborate and flourish
Building Civic Pride:
Celebrating local talent while creating opportunities for national and international artists to engage with the community
Nurturing Culturism:
Enhancing Darlington's reputation as a vibrant place to visit, live, work and invest in
Honoring Heritage
Preserving History:
Ensuring a remarkable Grade II" listed building remains active, cared for, and accessible through sustainable community use
Ensuring Longevity:
A model of sensitive adaptation and responsible stewardship that secures the building for generations to come
Partnership Building:
A partnership between the community, local organisations and The Chapel Collective to protect and honour our shared heritage
Where Creativity Thrives
The Chapel Collective provides a multi-cultured environment where:
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A painter may attend a poetry reading
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A musician may discover a photography exhibition
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A writer may find inspiration during a yoga class
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A visitor who arrives for coffee may leave having booked their first workshop
These moments are not accidental.
They are the foundation of The Chapel Collective.
Rather than separating art forms into individual silos, the chapel encourages them to overlap, evolve, and inspire one another.
Established professionals and complete beginners are equally welcome.
Local artists and visiting creatives share the same stage.
Audiences become participants, participants become collaborators, and collaborators become a creative community.
Meet the Resident Hosts
Father Pinot Grigio
"The Calm Patriarch"
Convinced that every lap was made for him. Pinot is affectionate, intuitive, and endlessly comforting. he's often the first to curl up beside a guest, settling in for as long as he's needed.
Cardinal Indiana Jones
"The Shy Charmer"
Shy by nature and most active at night, Indiana prefers to take his time getting to know you... But for those patient enough to earn his trust, they are rewarded with one of the sweetest companions imaginable
Bishop Rocky Balboa
"The Gentle Guardian"
A magnificent polydactyl Maine Coon with an old soul, Rocky is a Gentle Giant. Rather than demanding attention, he quietly observes, watching the creative process unfold with calm curiosity
Sister Charlie Chaplin
"The Young Visionary"
As the youngest, Charlie has a talent for turning the ordinary into play. This handsome polydactyl Maine Coon is far more interested in chasing a toy than settling down. If you're especially fortunate, Charlie may even invite you to a game of fetch.