Creative way to lift region
THE region’s creative industries sector has been bolstered by news that a £75m national organisation to give children access to arts and culture is to be based in the North-east.
Between 25 and 30 jobs will be created in establishing the new organisation, called Creativity, Culture and Education (CCE), in Newcastle.
CCE will be responsible for running the successful Creative Partnerships programme set up by Arts Council England in 2002 which has a base in the Tees Valley.
Under Creative Partnerships, schools invite creative professionals such as musicians and architects to work with pupils on challenging projects aimed at stretching their imagination and broadening their experience.
CCE, which will also deliver other national creativity programmes, will receive more than £75m from Arts Council England between April 2009 and March 2011. This will make it the Arts Council’s biggest regularly funded client organisation on a list which also includes the Royal Opera House (£56m) and the Royal Shakespeare Company (£31.5m).
Paul Collard, director of Creative Partnerships, who will lead the new organisation, said the region’s cultural renaissance - including the development of projects such as mima in Middlesbrough - had helped secure the organisation’s national HQ in the North-east.
He said there was now potential to grow the creative industries sector and bring new recruits to the fold.
“It’s so important we help young people understand what the creative industries sector is all about to ensure future growth of the sector,” he said. “We need more talented people coming through.”
Creative Partnerships has already worked with more than 750,000 young people at 2,000 schools across England.
“It’s important for young people to find out how to develop a future in the creative sector - and to know they can do it here,” added Mr Collard. “They don’t have to be in London.”
Mark Robinson, executive director, Arts Council England, North East, said: “We’re thrilled but not surprised that CCE has chosen the North-east as its base. This new organisation will sit comfortably within the region’s already thriving arts scene.”
