As part of Volunteers’ Week, Newcastle City Council’s Cultural Events Team has launched a city-wide recruitment drive for 300 volunteers to help bring NOVUM Summer Festival and Dominoes Newcastle to life this August.

From Friday 7 to Sunday 9 August, NOVUM Summer Festival will transform Newcastle city centre into a bold, joyful playground of free events, creativity, performance, music and community celebration. At the heart of #NOVUM26 will be Dominoes Newcastle, a spectacular city-wide domino run by Station House Opera, where thousands of breezeblocks will cascade through the city centre in one extraordinary, shared moment.

The team is looking for over 300 volunteers to help make the magic happen. Whether welcoming audiences, supporting artists, sharing festival information or helping people discover what’s happening across the city, volunteers will be at the heart of the NOVUM experience. They’ll also play a key role in delivering Dominoes Newcastle, the festival’s headline event and one of the most ambitious public artworks ever staged in Newcastle.

Maddie Maughan, Creative Programme Manager at Newcastle City Council, said:

“NOVUM is all about bringing people together through creativity, play and shared experiences, and volunteers will be at the heart of making that happen. They help create a welcoming environment, support artists and audiences, and play an important role in bringing Dominoes Newcastle to life across the city.

“Volunteering is a fantastic way to connect with your community, and to be part of something bigger. If you’re passionate about culture, community and making great things happen, we’d love you to help us create an unforgettable summer for Newcastle.”

Volunteering at NOVUM Summer Festival is a chance to gain hands-on event experience, meet new people, develop new skills and be part of something truly special happening in the heart of Newcastle.

The opportunities are open to friendly, reliable people who enjoy working with others, supporting the public and getting involved in city-wide events. Full training, guidance and support will be provided.

Sho Shibata, Director of OutdoorArtsUK said:

“Volunteering, particularly as part of large-scale projects like Dominoes Newcastle at NOVUM, plays a vital role in making the arts accessible to everyone and in strengthening social wellbeing. As highlighted by Spirit of 2012’s research on The Impacts of Volunteering, there is strong evidence that volunteering enhances wellbeing, from increased happiness and life satisfaction to reduced symptoms of depression. Volunteers are at the heart of what makes festivals like NOVUM successful.” 

Volunteering at NOVUM and Dominoes Newcastle offers the chance to experience major cultural events from the inside, to work alongside artists and event professionals, to build confidence and skills, and to help create moments that thousands of people will remember.

Karen Watson, Project Manager at Volunteer Centre Newcastle said:

“Volunteers play a vital role in bringing events to life, helping to create welcoming, vibrant experiences for residents and visitors alike. Getting involved is a great opportunity to meet new people, build confidence and develop valuable skills.

NOVUM offers a unique chance to be part of one of Newcastle’s biggest cultural celebrations, helping create unforgettable experiences for residents and visitors alike while seeing first-hand the impact creativity and culture can have on Newcastle and its communities.”

For more information and to express an interest in volunteering, visit www.novumnewcastle.com or contact the Cultural Events Team at novum@newcastle.gov.uk.

Press contact:

Rachel Horton – Marketing Executive at Newcastle Council’s Arts, Culture & Events Team

Rachel.Horton@newcastle.gov.uk

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About NOVUM

NOVUM Summer Festival is a bold, joyful, multi-artform summer festival taking over Newcastle city centre from 7–9 August 2026. Blending free family-friendly events with a programme of music, performance, creativity and large-scale spectacle, NOVUM invites audiences to experience Newcastle in new and imaginative ways. The festival is delivered and programmed by Newcastle City Council’s Cultural Events Team.

About Dominoes Newcastle

Created by internationally acclaimed artists Station House Opera, Dominoes Newcastle is the headline finale of NOVUM Summer Festival. Thousands of breezeblocks will create a moving sculpture that unfolds through Newcastle city centre on Sunday 9 August, connecting streets, landmarks and communities in a spectacular city-wide chain reaction.