I’m pledging £42million to boost skills, deliver events and support the North East’s small venues

Kim McGuinness, the North East Mayor, has unveiled a funding package that will aim to turbocharge the region’s creative industries, including £42million to boost skills, support small venues and deliver more events.

The funding will back small venues across the North East, fund a diverse programme of festivals, events and sporting programmes, and provide financial support for local people to build their creative careers and businesses.

Branded as a ‘North East Culture, Creative Industries and Sport framework’, it is backed by £25million from the Combined Authority’s Integrated Settlement, to develop grassroots talent, improve small venues, and boost access and participation across the region.

The framework will be shaped by industry stakeholders to map the investment needed to sustainability grow the creative sector.

Alongside the £42million to boost the creative sector, the £104 million also includes £38million in funding to build Phase One of the Crown Works Studios in Sunderland and £24million to ready Gateshead Quays for a new 12,500-15,000 seat arena.

Speaking about the funding, the North East Mayor said: “We've heard leading voices from Sam Fender to Jade talk about their pride in their north east roots and the huge barriers working class young people from the north face when trying to make it in music and film.

"I said in my manifesto I'd change that, and here's the next big step - £104m backing both the inspirational big venues to the vital local space need for your first gig.

“Last week we announced the skills funding to help you learn on the job, this week we're backing more venues.

"If you have a creative dream, you don't need London to succeed. We'll prove that."

The package of investments is set to be considered by the North East Combined Authority Cabinet next week.

You can find out more about the North East Combined Authority at: https://www.northeast-ca.gov.uk/.