Mayoral shot in the arm for North East creative economy
Boost for live music and Northumbrian heritage
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness has backed her commitment to the region’s creative industries with funding for 11 projects amounting to more than £360,000.
They’re a disparate bunch, ranging from an Anglo-Saxon gathering to a long weekend of women’s football, but the general aim, says the Mayor, is to “unleash cultural creativity”.
She explains: “I’m developing a thriving creative economy in the North East and with this funding we’re fuelling our energetic creatives and giving them the tools to create real impact.
“This region has it all.
“We’ve got amazing venues and museums, great festivals, hotels and restaurants, and a heritage to be proud of.
“The funding these programmes will receive will help us celebrate our culture and put our region on the stage as the home of creativity and world class cultural events.”
One of the biggest beneficiaries, receiving £40,000, is Ad Gefrin, in Wooler, the Anglo-Saxon Museum and whisky distillery which opened in 2023, part celebration of the Golden Age of Northumbria and part expression of modern Northumberland hospitality.
Dr Chris Ferguson, Ad Gefrin’s director of museum and experience, said the money would go towards its Gaderung (Anglo-Saxon for ‘gathering’ or ‘assembly’) programme of festivals.
Intended as celebrations of Northumbrian food, culture and heritage, they will happen twice a year, first in August – the Anglo-Saxon season of Lammas – and again in December, marking the midwinter season of Yule.
“The ambition is that together the summer and winter Gaderungs lay the foundations for biannual signature festivals in Northumberland resonating with both regional pride and visitors seeking authentic experiences,” said Dr Ferguson.
Good cheer for musicians and live music fans comes with £39,215 for Are You Affiliated (AYA), the evolving music space at King Street Social Club, North Shields, for which founder Geoff Kirkwood, aka Man Power, has high ambitions.
Welcoming the news, he said: “After three years of doing things that people initially said were impossible in North Tyneside, this funding will enable us to make a huge step-change in what we’re capable of achieving and allow us to fully realise the potential of our unique venue model while maximising its value to the broadest range of people and communities in the North East.
“This funding allows us to develop our infrastructure to the point where we can commit to a consistent and ambitious live music programming that ranges from international headliners to developing grass roots act, underpinned with a focus on being a driving factor in the growth of our region’s music scene, and establishing its authentic musical identity.”
Also helping with that will be the £33,746 for the Tyneside Promoter Network to develop independent support for artists and develop a North East ‘grassroots story’ showreel.
Wendy Smith, creative director at The Glasshouse, said: “Grassroots promoters, venues, artists and festivals are the lifeblood of our region’s music scene.
“They take risks, build audiences and give artists their first breaks. But we know how tough it is right now, with rising costs and shrinking resources.
“This support recognises their vital role and will help strengthen the foundations of the North East’s live music network, building resilience and giving local grassroots music businesses the tools to grow and access future funding opportunities.”
Moving Parts Arts, which runs the ever expanding Newcastle Puppetry Festival, is to received £40,000.
Sunderland Culture is to receive £38,088 to strengthen its volunteer programme while Sunderland Music, Arts & Culture (MAC) Trust is allocated £22,800 for its annual Summer Streets Festival.
Other beneficiaries are to be Cobalt Studios in Newcastle’s Ouseburn Valley (£31,628), North Shields-based Helix Arts (£29,300), Karbon Homes (£34,088 to scale up market events) and Moving Art Management (£30,662 for dance-specific mentoring and arts management training).
In the sporting field, Northumberland Football Association is to receive £23,085) for a three-day Female Football Big Weekend incorporating next year’s International Women’s Day, March 8.