North East Mayor Kim McGuinness has unveiled her new Plan for Culture, Creative Industries, Heritage and Sport, with 10,000 new jobs in the region’s cultural and creative sectors over the next decade at its heart.
Alongside creating 10,000 new jobs, the mayor aims to support over 8,000 businesses and freelancers to scale up, host over 900 events, including 10 major events, and welcome over 10 million visitors to regional events and cultural venues before 2036.
Shaped by industry partners across the region, the 2026-2036 Culture, Creative Industries, Heritage and Sport Strategic Framework describes how the North East MSA will use its powers, investment and influence to grow culture, creative industries, heritage and sport over the next 10 years, rallying partners across the North East behind these shared goals.
It leverages the region’s rich and diverse cultural heritage, from UNESCO World Heritage sites, to nationally important music and arts venues, to create jobs and drive growth, investment and recognition; develop skills and talent; and increase access, engagement and participation.
McGuinness said: “For too long, talented people have had to look to the capital for good careers, and we’re changing that, creating opportunities for local people, here in the region.
“We’re already backing our creative sector, from funding new training opportunities and supporting venues to building film studios in Sunderland. This is about creating more opportunities for young people, more support for talent, more events, more visitors, and more reasons to be proud of where we live. Not just for artists, athletes, or creatives… for everyone.”
The strategy is underpinned by £104m of investment in the sector, announced earlier in the year, which already includes:
- The North East Mayor’s Small Venues Fund launched in June, announcing £2.2m to support arts, culture and music venues across the region.
- The Mayor’s £11m Events Fund, enabling events throughout the summer, including BBC Radio One’s Big Weekend, Newcastle Pride and Durham Book Festival.
- £38m Crown Works Studios development, which has passed another important milestone, with planning approved by Sunderland Council.
Councillor Sanderson, leader of Northumberland County Council and North East Cabinet Member for Home to a Growing and Vibrant Economy added: “The North East is full of talent, it’s full of wonderful institutions from big museums to small grassroots venues, all places where creativity, culture and leisure flourish. This is bringing together everything that’s already great about our region, and empowering the next great ideas. But it isn’t just a framework, £104m investment is already making a difference to people’s lives, from bring new events into communities, to starting careers, and creating new opportunities for all.”
Co-commissioned work with the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre will strengthen the region’s evidence base, to ensure future funding decisions are informed by practical evidence.
Read the full North East Culture, Creative Industries, Heritage and Sport Strategic Framework, and find out more about the investments being made in the creative and cultural sectors here.
