Lumiere and New Writing North cited in new report
The Arts Council report shows public funding drives growth
Lumiere, Durham’s biennial festival of light-based art, and Newcastle-based New Writing North are cited in a report showing how funding from Arts Council England (ACE) can unlock further investment.
The two key cultural initiatives were used as case studies in the Spillover Impacts report commissioned by ACE from the .
The report indicated that sustained public investment in creativity and culture can significantly boost local economies although it stated that the value of the cultural sector in driving growth had “historically been under-recognised”.
Research showed the “spillover effects” of public funding included boosting regional growth and the visitor economy, unlocking private and foreign investment and helping to build talent pipelines.
Lumiere, produced by Artichoke for Durham County Council, was used as an example of how sustained cultural investment can deliver regional economic benefits and employment.
It said the festival had transformed the city into a vibrant cultural landmark every two years since 2009.
Backed by public funders including ACE, the event had consistently aimed to drive economic growth, enhance community pride and position Durham as a key cultural tourism destination.
The report found that Lumiere had welcomed over 1.3 million visitors and generated more than £43 million in local economic impact.
Even in years affected by poor weather, such as 2019, the event had achieved a net impact of £11.5 million from public investment of just £1 million.
As well as attracting visitors, Lumiere had delivered significant skills development through education and outreach work, generating employment and opportunities.
Since 2009, over 14,000 local residents and schoolchildren had engaged in creative learning initiatives designed to develop a range of skills while its volunteer scheme had provided many with vocational experience.
New Writing North (NWN) was included for its work in revitalising the local economy and creating jobs and opportunities.
Its partnership with publisher Hachette UK had led to a Hachette office opening in Newcastle.
Meanwhile, to support the artistic talent pipeline, NWN and Hachette had co-developed a publishing MA programme with Northumbria University to ensure regional skills development aligned with industry needs.
The collaboration had also encouraged infrastructure growth through the creation of the Sounds Good Audio Studio, the first audiobook production hub in the North East.
NWN’s partnerships with Faber and Faber, Channel 4 and several UK universities demonstrated how publicly funded organisations could act as a pathway for private sector investment.
The proposed Centre for Writing and Publishing, with Hachette UK and Faber as founding partners, exemplified how public-private collaboration can result in lasting infrastructure and industry development.
Sir Nicholas Serota, chair of ACE, said: “So many benefits flow from public funding of arts and culture.
“The arts strengthen our economy, build a sense of community and create local growth and jobs, boost our nation’s international standing and, most important of all, raise the spirits and horizons of millions.
“Public funding sustains innovation and triggers a virtuous circle of growth in the cultural and creative industries.
“However, growth can no longer be taken for granted. Strains on public and private funding and cost inflation are pushing many organisations to a tipping point and we call on the government and local authorities to continue and enhance their investment in this national success story.”
Rebecca Ball, ACE North area director, said the evidence was clear that cultural and creative organisations receiving Arts Council funding were driving growth and innovation across the region.
Claire Malcolm, chief executive of New Writing North, said: “Publishing is one of the UK’s primary creative industries and for the last 30 years New Writing North has worked, with the support of public investment, including from ACE, to develop writers across the North.”
She added: “The economic growth of the creative sector in the North is supported by the area’s unique cultural make-up and the flourishing collaboration between public and private partners and investment.”
Helen Marriage, CEO and artistic director of Artichoke, said: “Enlightened public investment from both ACE and Durham County Council in the power of the contemporary artistic imagination has paid dividends over last 15 years, transforming an ancient medieval city every two years into a giant art gallery with no barriers to attendance.”