The SIDEQUEST Horsebox
A travelling artists’ studio bringing contemporary art, playful making and creative experiences directly to communities.
WHAT IS THE SIDEQUEST HORSEBOX?
The SIDEQUEST Horsebox is a mobile artists’ studio designed to pop up in unexpected places, from town centres and festivals to community spaces, parks, cultural venues and neighbourhood events. It is commissioned by Borderlands and MIMA, with support from Muckle LLP as part of the Turner on Tees programme, for the Turner Prize 2026.
Created by SIDEQUEST, the Horsebox takes contemporary artistic practice out of traditional arts spaces and brings it directly to people. We have worked with four brilliant contemporary artists, Hannah Campion, Errol Theunissen, Estuary Langley and Claire A. Baker to translate their ideas and practice into accessible, hands-on creative experiences for people of all ages, including those who might be encountering contemporary art for the very first time.
WHAT DOES A HORSEBOX DAY LOOK LIKE?
Each visit is built around a specially developed artist-led workshop, supported by the SIDEQUEST team. Activity is designed to be welcoming, playful and easy to join, whether somebody stays for five minutes or spends much longer making with us.
We bring the Horsebox, workshop activity, artists, materials and the team needed to make the day happen. There’s no need to know anything about contemporary art or even think of yourself as creative. Just turn up, step inside and have a go… What you make could end up in MIMA.
A mini photography studio inside the Horsebox will capture finished creations and send them directly to a screen at MIMA, creating a growing exhibition of work made by people across Teesside throughout the project.
The SIDEQUEST Horsebox launched at MIMA on 26 and 27 September 2026, during the opening weekend of the Turner Prize, and will be hitting the road to visit around 20 locations across Teesside.
Look out for a horsebox and a travelling studio popping up somewhere near you.