D6: Culture in Transit

D6: Culture in Transit is an international visual arts producer and Visual Arts Organisation of Sanctuary based in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK. We work with extraordinary artists, communities and partners with a shared belief in the value of the arts in creating a more just and equal society. This is especially important as people and communities find themselves facing deep and interconnected challenges, including the rise of inequalities, the devastation of conflict and the impacts of climate change. Working with partners both internationally and locally, we develop artist residencies, exhibitions and capacity‑building programmes that respond to urgent social and environmental challenges.

Our current programme includes Contested Desires: Constructive Dialogues, which fosters exchange between artists and the museums, archives and communities that narrate Europe’s colonial legacies. With 20 partners across Europe, Africa and South America, 22 artists are participating in residencies and exhibitions that reveal untold stories of identity, appropriation, power and memory.


D6’s work also focuses on supporting artists whose practice has been disrupted by displacement and exile, bringing unique expertise in producing programmes with artists and creative practitioners with lived experience of displacement on regional and international programmes, for example (Re)Grounding, residencies for Ukrainian artists exploring power, extraction and climate action, and Artists Connecting in Transition working across the UK, Cyprus, Jordan and Türkiye. As co-founders of the Sanctuary and Culture Network, we bring together over 150 diverse individuals, cultural, voluntary and refugee-led organisations to strengthen welcome and access to culture for displaced individuals living in the North East of England, building on the UK’s unique City of Sanctuary model.

Founded in 1991, we operate from our studios and office in the heart of Newcastle. We don’t have a large gallery space, instead, we collaborate with local partners and communities to present exhibitions, performances and talks across the city and beyond.