Nicholas Craig column

Jun 9 2006 By Nicholas Craig, The Journal

An extraordinary event takes place at Newcastle- Gateshead this month - the World Summit on Arts and Culture.

We will be the focus of attention for an international gathering of world cultural leaders. The list of speakers and guests is extremely impressive. Many are travelling thousands of miles to take part in the summit at The Sage Gateshead.

The theme is regeneration through arts and culture. It is fitting we are hosting this event, because as a region nowhere has transformed its fortunes through arts more successfully than the North-East.

This region dares to win. The new buildings on both sides of the Tyne are not only superb centres for the arts and leisure, they are thrillingly innovative.

The Gateshead Millennium Bridge linking the two waterfronts is an elegant example of inspirational engineering technique that excites interest from local people and tourists alike.

Like The Sage, which people love because they can make music as well as hear it in extraordinary surroundings, the bridge's beauty and practicality suit its location well. NewcastleGateshead is the first venue in Europe to host the World Summit. It is a great honour and it puts in perspective our standing as a thriving city of culture, despite losing out to Liverpool for the top title.

The difference is that we were ready to set off running against Liverpool, which is still in the process of renewal. Our major pieces were in place, and as a result we can now attract the world's best to enjoy superb arts and culture throughout the region.

During the World Summit on Arts and Culture, we will all be able to help celebrate our world-class status. I am keen to see a flower-wreathed Millennium Bridge with fireworks at the opening ceremony and visit The Sage to see "Play on Earth" with audiences in Singapore and Brazil.

The long-term investment in first-class arts and culture here is paying major dividends for business and people living here. We may not agree with all the choices made in arts funding, but the broader economic impact and environmental improvement that result from our pioneering approach is undeniable.

Businesses need local, motivated employees, who are more likely to stay in a lively, attractive area than a down-at-heel urban centre.

We have a centre to compete with the best in the world.

Nicholas Craig is a partner at Watson Burton LLP