The Investors - Festival has a global resonance

Sep 14 2006 By Karen Mclauchlan, North East Vision

Arts and culture is a growing force in the North-East. But just what impact does it have our region? Karen McLauchlan visited Stockton's International Riverside Festival and The Sage Gateshead to find out more.

Festival fun brought the streets of Stockton alive recently. Tens of thousands of folk flocked to the town to enjoy the Stockton International Folklore Festival. But the 19th carnival of culture was not just a sensational spectacle of arts entertainment.

It's a major economic driver for the area.

Organisers estimate between 100,000 and 150,000 people attended this year's event - splashing out £2.5m-£3m on hospitality, refreshments, and accommodation.

For some that's just a few pounds spent on a drink and a hotdog.

For others it's hundreds of pounds spent by groups enjoying several days in town to enjoy the fun.

Reuben Kench is head of arts and culture at organisers Stockton Council, and while conceding business gains are not easy to measure in absolute terms, he believes such arts events have several business benefits for the area.

He believes the area's cultural agenda does influence people's decision to visit an area or locate a business and it can, therefore, help improve its economic prospects.

One of the most powerful indications of the economic benefits is a measurement of people's impressions of an area, he said.

Regional development agency One NorthEast commissioned a survey as part of its regional image strategy.

It was conducted in France and Germany and asked people which cultural events and attractions in the North-East they were aware of.

Stockton International Riverside Festival - SIRF - was the only Tees Valley entry to appear in the top 10.

It ranked alongside the likes of the Angel of the North, Durham Cathedral and Hadrian's Wall.

Visitors from outside the area have been canvassed and they think SIRF has a positive impact on the image of the area. SIRF brings entertainment to the whole of the town - with a range of stages and even processions which seesthousands snake along the High Street as part of the fun.

This means retailers around the town have been able to reap the rewards.

The council and businesses promoted extended Sunday trading in the run-up to this year's event.

This year SIRF presented circus, comedy, music, dance and street theatre from across the globe. A packed programme included breathtaking aerial antics, a colourful carnival procession and a stunning firework finale - all for free.

The aim of the festival is to be a thought-provoking, creative activity which stimulates imaginations as well as raising aspirations and extending people's horizons, he said.

This year the festival reached new heights.

SIRF reached a dramatic climax with a daring balancing act high above the buildings of Stockton High Street.

Heavy rain delayed the start of the festival finale but couldn't dampen the sprits of the crowds gathered to see Ramon Kelvink Jr ride a motor bike on a high wire and balance on 100ft oscillating poles.

"It was certainly one to remember, with great crowds and a memorable mix of performances," added Mr Kench.

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Now that really is music to the ears

Sensational, stunning and striking. Three words that easily sum up The Sage Gateshead.

But the dramatic arts venue on the banks of the Tyne hasn't just made an impact to the local landscape.

It's helping drive economic improvement and prosperity.

A report reveals the development, home to three symphony halls, a music school, a rehearsal and a community performance hall, has generated £46m - the biggest economic impact of any arts venue outside London.

That figure includes overnight visitor spend, procurement and the effects of jobs directly and indirectly attributable to the venue.

The report commissioned by The Sage Gateshead last year from the Economic Research Service says it is well above its regional counterparts with Birmingham Royal Ballet the next biggest on £11m.

The Sage Gateshead, which has hosted more than 450 performances, 80 conferences and attracted 750,000 visitors since opening in late 2004, is overshadowed only by London's Tate and the Royal Opera House - which both generate £68m of additional spending a year for the capital.

And according to the study, The Sage Gateshead, which cost £46m to build and receives £8.3m of grants annually, is more important in relative terms to the economy of Tyne and Wear than the London Orchestra, Royal Opera House, English National Ballet, National Gallery, South Bank Centre, National Portrait Gallery and the English National Opera combined are to London. For every £1 invested in The Sage by revenue funding, it returns £11 to the regional economy.

Anthony Sargent, general director of The Sage, said: "The Sage  is a not-for-profit organisation and our priority is to our public audiences, while staying solvent, but the economic impact is something that we are mindful of."