The First Art team welcomed Sir Nick Serota, Chair of Arts Council England, on Monday to chat with him about the work we’ve been getting up to and talk about our exciting plans.

It was also the chance to introduce him to some of the great organisations we’re working with to make things happen across the four districts we cover.

Left to right: Anna McGrath, Tracy Radford, Rebecca Blackman, Karl Greenwood, Sir Nick Serota, Andy Abrahams and Helen Sissons.

Joining the First Art team to welcome Sir Nick was Mayor of Mansfield, Andy Abrahams together with Helen Sissons from Mansfield District Council, Tracy Radford of Unanima / One Walk / Tenfity, and Anna McGrath who has been involved with both the Full Shebang and Inside Eye Cinema.

Nick commented how impressed he was by the impact made so far and “the evident success of recent activities, especially the Full Shebang in Mansfield.”

He added: “The socials are clearly a very interesting way of bringing people into a situation where they are prepared to try something different.”