Sting steps in to launch urgent Baltic campaign
£10 million needed to secure venue’s future work
Sting has made a “major” – but undisclosed – donation to launch a £10 million endowment fund campaign to secure the future work of Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art.
It might not be an “SOS to the world” but it’s a clear message nonetheless from the Wallsend-born star.
Arts funding has always been precarious but it’s particularly so at a time of soaring costs and squeezed budgets – and when the value of everything seems under unprecedented scrutiny.
Baltic opened on Gateshead Quays in 2002, which in retrospect seems a time of lottery-boosted largesse.
In April it welcomed its 10 millionth visitor and according to VisitBritain it is the most visited free cultural venue in the North East.
But for how much longer can it remain so?
A statement from Baltic says income from a £10 million endowment “will combat the ongoing challenge of rising costs that threaten free entry in a region where a third of children grow up in poverty”.
It calls its campaign to establish such a fund an “ambitious initiative”.
Sting, who first made a buzz as a musician in the North East before finding fame with post-punk threesome The Police, says: “For me this is about legacy.
“The culture of the North East made me who I am and I am proud of those roots.
“I want to acknowledge how lucky I have been and pay that debt back.
“Giving to Baltic is a way of saying ‘Thank you’ and ensuring that the next generation of young people on Tyneside have access to arts and culture.
"I’m hoping that my donation to Baltic’s endowment fund will encourage others to give.
“We need to do everything we can to safeguard public funding through the Arts Council and bolster philanthropic giving. This is about investing in the future of the North East. It’s about unleashing the creativity of children and young people so they can dream and think big.”
To further support the initiative, the 17-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter will perform and answer questions at a flagship Fundraising Gala on October 30 to an audience of arts patrons and philanthropists.
According to Baltic, 183,000 children and young people get involved every year in its activities and programmes designed to enhance confidence, skills and wellbeing.
In its statement, Baltic says an endowment fund “will safeguard this crucial activity and creative futures on Tyneside by sustaining free access to Baltic’s exhibitions, its iconic building and (its) creative learning and community programmes”.
Baltic’s Fundraising Gala will also feature an auction of unique experiences and works donated by renowned artists including Damien Hirst, Anish Kapoor and Cornelia Parker.
Nadine Shah, the celebrated South Tyneside-born singer-songwriter, is to open the proceedings.
Sarah Munro, Baltic director since 2015, says: “We are incredibly grateful to Sting for his generous donation which is a major step in establishing a crucially needed £10 million endowment.
“We are a much-loved gallery, welcoming 400,000 visitors through our doors each year, platforming artists, connecting communities and inspiring children and young people. We need to preserve this for generations to come.
“Sting’s donation, and his performance at our Fundraising Gala, will enable Baltic to leverage further support from donors and stakeholders.
“The fund is key in our long-term strategy to protect Baltic’s sustainability and future success.
“We look forward to creating a memorable experience with Sting and Nadine Shah for our guests at the gala on October 30.”
Broadcaster Kirsty Lang, chair of the Baltic trustees, adds: “The North East of England has a long history of creativity.
“New technologies that changed the world were invented in this region, from the locomotive to the lightbulb, and it is now the fastest growing region for video games development.
“We are fiercely proud of our Tyneside location. We want to nurture the creative spark in our young people so they can be optimistic about their future. Sting’s generous gift will help us do that.”
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness backed the Baltic initiative, saying: “A big part of my mission as Mayor is to inspire our children to think big and dream big from an early age, so that every child growing up in the North East has the confidence and skills to fulfil their potential.
“Our cultural centres have a huge role to play so it is amazing to see Sting and Baltic come together to launch this new endowment to create exciting and programmes and activities for years to come.
“We are doing our bit with Kids go Free travel in school holidays and cheap £1 fares on bus and Metro to help young people to get to Baltic and fabulous free venues like it right across our region.
“This endowment will make sure Baltic continues to inspire the creative talents we want to see in future generations.”