North East Mayor Kim McGuinness has welcomed £10m Government investment in the region’s cultural offer, securing support for two major projects.
The North East has been backed with £10m out of £16m available from the Department for Culture Media and Sport’s Cultural Development Fund.
£5m has been secured to establish a new centre for writing in central Newcastle, to support a new centre for writing and publishing. The centre will develop the next generation of northern writers, become a hub for the publishing industry in the North and be a place where residents of the region can discover their writing potential.
Sunderland will benefit from £5m to develop a new space for glassmaking, protecting the city’s rich heritage in the industry and creating new opportunities for artists and creatives. Led by Sunderland Culture, working in partnership with the V&A, University of Sunderland and Sunderland City Council, the site will be a catalyst for regeneration in the city centre.
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said:
“The North East’s cultural offer is strong, and steeped in the pride and creativity of our people, places and industrial heritage.”
“Now this investment means we are making it even better, and helping the North East stand tall on the national and international stage.”
“I want the world to know about our world-class arts and culture and discover our region, as a Mayor, I will back these industries. These investments will help create jobs, attract visitors, revitalise our city centres and create more opportunity for people across the North East to enjoy our brilliant cultural offer.”
Cllr Amanda Hopgood, Portfolio holder for Culture, Creative, Tourism and Sport at the North East Combined Authority and Leader of Durham County Council, said: “Culture is a major contributor to the North East’s multi-billion pound visitor economy, helping to attract millions of visitors and supporting tens of thousands of jobs. What’s more, it raises aspirations, bring our communities together and entertains and inspires people of all ages. These investments will further enhance our cultural offer and build on our legacy as a place of creativity and innovation.”
Claire Malcolm, CEO of New Writing North, who spearheaded the campaign said:
“We’re thrilled and excited that central government has chosen to invest in our region’s cultural economy and infrastructure.”
“Not only can creative writing play a vital role in the wellbeing and public health of the country, but it is also the backbone of our world-leading creative industries which employ 2.4 million. This project will be transformative for writing in The North and will bring benefits to so many people of all ages through high quality jobs and creative opportunities.”
Cllr Karen Kilgour, Leader of Newcastle City Council, said: “This is the latest in a series of exciting investment announcements about Newcastle’s creative industries and an incredible time for our city. We want the new Centre for Writing to have a catalytic impact on our cultural heartbeat, based in our city centre’s conservation area and Newcastle’s Culture and Creative Zone (CCN) known as Creative Central NCL.
“Not only will this help support talented residents in every corner of Newcastle, it can provide a huge economic boost to the economy of our entire city region, creating jobs, growth and opportunity for all as part of an inclusive economy. I want to thank Claire Malcolm at New Writing North and Northumbria University for spearheading this project, and for working with the City Council and Combined Authority to secure this funding for Newcastle.”
Image credit: iStock
