Culture Digest 23.01.26
A round up of the arts and culture stories which caught our attention over the past week or so...
Keelmen’s Hospital set for new era after multi-million-pound heritage grant
A prominent heritage building which is pivotal to Tyneside’s industrial and social history is to be saved and restored by a £4.6m award.
The Grade II* listed Keelmen’s Hospital, which overlooks the Tyne in Newcastle, is one of the city’s most at-risk historic buildings and has lain empty for the last 16 years.
Dating from 1701, it was built as an almshouse to provide food, shelter and medical care for the poor, the sick and aged keelmen and their families.
Now it will be returned to its original role as homes to the design of Newcastle-based JDDK Architects. The conversion will result in 20 affordable units.
The £4.6m has been awarded to Tyne & Wear Building Preservation Trust (T&WBPT) by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The Newcastle Conservation Area Panel (NCAP) describes the building as an “outstanding and unique heritage asset” and praises the objective to provide “social housing which reflects the origins of the building and gives future residents the opportunity to experience its real sense of historic place.”
County Durham's exciting theatre company, Ensemble '84, is recruiting
Horden-based theatre company Ensemble ’84 introduced itself in sensational style in 2025 with two brilliant shows – first a production of Mother Courage, adapted by Lee Hall, and then a piece of its own devising rooted in local history, Pits, People and Players.
Remarkably the company largely comprises local people with no professional theatre background.
Under founding artistic director Mark Dornford-May – and with the collaborative guidance in Mother Courage, later revived at Newcastle’s Live Theatre, of seasoned performers from South Africa – audiences could see potential being realised.
A dizzy year for the performers ended with the company picking up no fewer than three North East culture awards.
And now the company is recruiting.
North Shields sets sights on UK Town of Culture title
North Shields, fresh on the heels of its 800th anniversary year, is throwing its hat into the ring to be the first UK Town of Culture in 2028.
In the North East, it joins Bishop Auckland in expressing an interest in the new competition which the Government announced in October, encouraged by the success of UK City of Culture, a title which has richly benefited holders – most recently Bradford.
Towns intending to bid have to submit a formal Expression of Interest by March 31.
Shortlisted towns will each receive £60,000 to draw up a full bid and the winner will then get £3.5 million towards delivering a cultural programme during the summer of 2028.
Applicants will have to explain how the town’s story is unique, how its programme will appeal to everyone and how it will then be delivered.
Shortlisted contenders for £10,000 book award
And so 12 become six as the longlist for the 2026 Gordon Burn Prize, announced in November, is whittled down to a final shortlist.
The novels still in contention for the £10,000 prize are:
* One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El Akkad (published by Canongate);
* Helm by Sarah Hall (Faber);
* Thank you for Calling the Lesbian Line by Elizabeth Lovatt (John Murray Press);
* Endling by Maria Reva (Little, Brown Book Group);
* A Room Above a Shop by Anthony Shapland (Granta);
* Night of the Living Rez by Morgan Talty (&Other Stories).
Crime writer Val McDermid, chair of the judges, says: “The quality of this year’s submissions has made judging a difficult task but I’m satisfied we’ve come up with a shortlist that not only reflects Gordon’s passions and terms of engagement, but which will also intrigue and delight readers.
Seven million books and counting as Dolly's reading scheme celebrated in Newcastle
The impact of early-years reading took centre stage in Newcastle this week as the 2026 book list for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library was unveiled at Seven Stories, the national centre for children’s books.
The event marked a significant milestone for the programme, which has now gifted more than seven million books to children under five across the UK.
Families, early years professionals and literacy partners came together to reflect on the role shared storytelling plays in children’s development long before they reach school.
The day began with a storytime session led by author and illustrator Nick Sharratt, followed by a panel discussion examining how children’s books are selected, produced and delivered, and why access to books from birth can be transformative.
The launch also highlighted the local reach of the scheme. In Newcastle, a pilot supported by the city council has already delivered nearly 5,000 free books to babies and young children since its launch last May, helping families build reading into everyday life.
The comeback gig which made Bill say Yes
In 2022 legendary drummer Bill Bruford was 13 years retired from gigging and firmly focused on life after live performance.
Then the Yes, King Crimson and Genesis alumnus experienced a lightbulb moment — fast forward four years and he’s back behind the kit as a member of the Pete Roth Trio.
You can catch them at Gosforth Civic Theatre at the end of the month
Newcastle Cathedral window celebrates everyday compassion
A stained glass window celebrating quiet acts of kindness in the heart of Newcastle has been shortlisted in a national search for England’s favourite cathedral window.
The Chemist’s Window, housed in Newcastle Cathedral, is one of 12 finalists in a campaign run by the Association of English Cathedrals to highlight the country’s most loved examples of cathedral glass.
Inspired by Divine Light: The Stained Glass of England’s Cathedrals by Janet Gough OBE, the competition was drawn from the Association’s most-liked social media posts, with public voting open until Monday February 2, the Feast of Candlemas.
Sold out gigs are Nailed on
He’s just finished a string of sell out dates at Live Theatre celebrating the music of Crocodile Shoes, but Jimmy Nail has already sold out another pair of North East venues for his next live project.
TV premiere confirmed for Doppelgänger
A transmission date has been confirmed for North East–made short film, Doppelgänger.
Commissioned as part of the BBC’s Long Story Short series, the 15-minute film was written by award-winning Newcastle playwright Alison Carr, marking her first move into screenwriting, produced by Gateshead company Candle and Bell and supported by North East Screen.
Filmed in Heaton and Pelaw, it explores the unsettling consequences of a chance meeting between two identical 10-year-old girls, both named Josie.
The film will be shown on BBC Three on February 1 at 9pm and will then be available on iPlayer. You can read lots more about it here.
Our material world explored in group show at the Globe
The old year was seen out with Plasticine as the key ingredient (Kitty McKay’s nostalgic lido-inspired exhibition) and the new gets going at the Globe Gallery with the focus again on materials.
New exhibition Between Work and Play was initiated by Helen Pailing, who has a studio near the North Shields gallery, and it’s a playful celebration of stuff both natural and man-made.
It’s a joint show, featuring Helen’s work and that of Graham Patterson, whose ‘canvas’, says Helen, is a stretch of beach near Holy Island, and London-based Helen Maurer whom she recognised as a kindred spirit when on an art residency in Caithness.
The exhibition also features some framed prints (only ever shown in London) made by Helen Maurer in collaboration with Angela Moore.
The idea for an exhibition came, says Helen, when she got her studio two years ago and fell in love with North Shields Fish Quay: “The knots, the ropes, the paraphernalia…”
Impetus came when the Globe reopened in its original 1990s location on Howard Street and she fell for that too, with its “variety of spaces”.
North East creative community mourns Andrew Walker
Tributes have been paid following the death of Andrew Walker, a much-loved member of staff at The Customs House, where he played a central role in its youth, engagement and artistic work.
Andrew joined the organisation at the age of 16 through its Youth Theatre. He later worked front of house while studying, before returning as a facilitator for the senior Youth Theatre and, in 2022, taking on the role of creative engagement producer.
Announcing his passing, The Customs House said Andrew “brought his trademark humour and infectious enthusiasm to everything he did” and that his “warm and lovely nature made him a joy to work with, and his charismatic personality made him a friend for life.”
Alongside his work behind the scenes, Andrew fulfilled his ambition to become a professional actor, appearing in productions at The Customs House including The Fifteen Streets, My Uncle Freddie, Wormtown and A Class Feeling. His wider theatre work took him across the country with productions such as Drip, You Stupid Darkness and Broken Biscuits, as well as advertising campaigns and a BBC Radio 4 play.
Andrew was also a developing writer, part of the Life in a Northern Town cohort with Northern Broadsides and Blackpool Grand Theatre, and the writer of Cherryade Supernova for The Customs House Takeover 2021.
Magpies makeover strips away waste in favour of fashion
University fashion and design researchers have earned their stripes by coming up with a winning solution on how to recycle Newcastle United football shirts.
The shirts have gone on display in Eldon Square shopping centre in Newcastle, with the public invited to bid for a chance to take home a unique piece of Magpies memorabilia.
The garments – which include a bomber jacket, dress and joggers – have been created by the researchers at Northumbria University as part of an innovative collaboration with Newcastle United to tackle textile waste.
Hamnet author to celebrate new novel in Newcastle
Award-winning novelist Maggie O’Farrell will visit Newcastle this summer as part of New Writing North’s Right to Read programme.
The author of Hamnet - the film adaptation of which has just secured eight nominations ahead of the upcoming Academy Awards - will appear at Northern Stage, Newcastle on June 9 to discuss her new (and much anticipated) multi-generational novel Land.
The event includes a discussion, audience Q&A and exclusive stamped author copies.
Tickets available here.
Tailoring tycoon stitched together major art collection
As the head of a Tyneside tailoring “empire”, Lionel Jacobson was also a leading collector of modern artworks.
He was the chairman, managing director and president of Jackson the Tailors, based in Newcastle. The business merged with tailors Burtons in 1953 and Mr Jacobson became chairman.
Together with wife Ruth, he built up a collection of contemporary British art which included works by leading artists David Bomberg, L.S. Lowry – who he met at the Stone Gallery in Newcastle – and Henry Moore.
Much of the collection was sold at Newcastle auctioneers Anderson & Garland in 2008 in a major sale of around 300 lots, with part of the proceeds going to charity.
Now paintings by Bomberg and artist Reuven Rubin, both works which were favourites of Ruth Jacobson, will feature in the Anderson & Garland Modern Art and Design sale on January 27.
Generator launches Japan partnership to put northern music on the world stage
Music development agency, Generator is taking a significant step onto the international stage with a new partnership linking the region’s music scene with Japan.
Backed by North East Mayor Kim McGuinness and Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen, the announcement of the collaboration follows more than a year of relationship-building with Japanese industry leaders, positioning northern artists and producers at the heart of one of the world’s most influential music markets.
Japan is the second-largest recorded music market globally, yet access to routes like this has traditionally been dominated by London-based activity.
The partnership underpins the development of the UK’s first Northern Music Export Office, backed by combined authorities including the North East and Tees Valley, and aims to create long-term international pathways rather than one-off showcase opportunities.
Generator CEO Mick Ross said the move was about ensuring talent from the North is “seen, heard and taken seriously” worldwide, adding that the relationships built in Japan show strong appetite for northern creativity.
The first major activity will take place in February 2026, when Generator leads a Northern Music Exchange mission to Japan. Two artists have been selected by Japanese partners to take part: Tees Valley-based queer-pop artist Loren Heat and North Tyneside producer and songwriter Chad Rodgers.
The programme will include songwriting camps, industry showcases and contributions to international music forums in Fukuoka and Tokyo, marking the start of a planned three-year cultural and industry exchange.
Successor named as Northumberland National Park chief retires after 20 years
The new chief executive of Northumberland National Park has been chosen to replace Tony Gates, who is retiring after 20 years in the post.
David Renwick will take over in what is the 70th anniversary of the park, which he describes as England’s “last great wilderness.”
Mr Renwick has over 20 years of senior experience across the environment, heritage and landscape sectors and is currently Natural England’s regional director for the North of England.
New arts initiative connects campus and community
An arts centre “without walls” will showcase creativity across a university’s activities and research.
On Friday (January 23), Northumbria University’s School of Design, Arts and Creative Industries launched Programme Northumbria, which will connect different locations across the Newcastle campus and beyond through a varied programme of public exhibitions and events.
Running until August 31, the inaugural programme will feature work from leading academics and past students, demonstrating how creative practice is pushing boundaries across disciplines from contemporary art and design to performance and digital innovation.
Archaeology on display in Bishop Auckland
Archaeologists working to unravel the long-hidden story of Auckland Palace have opened a rare window onto their work - inviting the public to watch history being pieced back together in real time.
A new ‘open laboratory’ has launched in Bishop Auckland town centre, where experts from The Auckland Project and Durham University are analysing hundreds of artefacts uncovered during eight years of excavations at the former bishops’ palace. The temporary lab is based at Hearth on the Market Place, with much of the work visible directly through the venue’s windows.
North East talent among northern screen leaders chosen for new scheme
Three North East screen industry leaders are among 17 participants selected for a new leadership development programme from Screen Alliance North.
Libby Walker of Nana Peg Productions (South Shields), Paula Hughes of North Star Films (Hartlepool) and Carley Armstrong of True Moon/Mack’em Productions will take part in Into the Lead, a scheme aimed at senior figures working in independent scripted production. The programme brings together leaders from across the North of England to explore leadership, workplace culture and the impact of new technologies on the screen sector.
Launched at an event in Leeds, the course runs from January to April and is supported by the BFI through National Lottery funding.
Rock meets history at North Shields venue
The long-time guitarist for a band which has sold 60 million albums worldwide will be performing a track called Hymn 43 at a Tyneside venue.
The song is from the Jethro Tull band’s Aqualung album, which was released in 1971 and sold more than seven million copies.
Now lead guitarist Martin Barre brings his own band to The Exchange in Howard Street in North Shields on January 30, when they will perform Aqualung in its entirety.
New projects bring nature into heart of Wearside communities
Two new projects will bring communities and nature together on Wearside.
The City of Nature Sunderland community programme aims to benefit more than 3,500 people after landing a £326,543 award.
The backing from the National Lottery Community Fund will see the programme being led by Durham Wildlife Trust and the International Community Organisation of Sunderland (ICOS).
A roving “nature hub” will travel around disadvantaged areas of Wearside to stage nature events and activities.