An Indian dance team, five of whose members are blind, helped to launch an arts education agency at the refurbished DLI Museum and Durham Art Gallery.
The Forge is a one-stop shop for design, delivery and advice, which aims to develop arts education projects across the county.
As well as producing high-quality projects for young people, The Forge will help artists to build relationships with schools and the community.
As part of this, Indian dance team Natyanjali are holding workshops in schools.
Forge director Tony Harrington said: "We are very excited about the arrival of Natyanjali. They are an inspiration to us all in overcoming adversity.
"They were destitute until they learnt to dance and now they support themselves and their families."
The Forge will also run training sessions for artists and teachers, act as an advocate for the role of arts in making creative, healthy, people and communities, and raise money for the arts.
The agency is funded by Durham County Council, Northern Arts and the Regional Arts Lottery programme
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