Culture and Events

The arts and the economy are inextricably linked. They not only enrich our lives, promote our mental health and produce more rounded individuals when taught in schools, but are crucial to our economy.  Over 137,000 people are employed in the sector.

Working in partnership with Creative England, our £2.6 million programme was launched in June 2021. It provides a mix of grants, equity and loans to give the flexibility needed to provide support from freelancers to large organisations. The first investment was made in March 2022 a loan and wrap-around business support to Do Gooder, a Newcastle-based, women-founded strategy and creative agency.

Culture and Creative Zones have been set up, one in each of our Local Authorities. This is a designated zone within which culture and creative organisations can grow. The projects are Clayton Street corridor in Newcastle, the North Shields Cultural Quarter in North Tyneside, and Northumberland’s zone is in Berwick-upon-Tweed.

Our Tourism and Events programme has been taking place. Hopefully you’ve spotted some of them.  Highlights include:

• The Great North Run, we provided some emergency funding for the 2021 run.  It was straight after the pandemic and needed a bit of help to make sure it could run;
• North Sea Weekend in Tynemouth which included surf, sea and music;
• Hadrian’s Wall 1900^th Anniversary which included Lindisfarne Gospels, art installation at Housesteads Roman Fort and illuminated sheep!
• Rugby League World Cup wraparound cultural event and Festival of Rugby