The Northern School of Art has welcomed the BBC’s announcement of major funding in the development of the screen industries in the North East.

Pat Chapman, Vice Principal (External Relations & Employability) at the School, said: “The Northern School of Art plays a vital role in providing the real-world skills and training for the creative industries – with award-winning alumni working throughout the industry.

“We have a 160-year heritage of providing skilled people for this country’s creative industries which have been the fastest growing in terms of both employment and value for more than two decades.

“This year has seen record spending on feature films and high-end TV, we help to provide the talent that makes that possible and our development of The Northern Studios will provide essential regional infrastructure to ensure that growth happens in this region.

“We are delighted with the BBC’s announcement to invest in the creative industries and training in the North-East. We look forward to a region-wide partnership that will see the region take its rightful place on our screens.

“We know there is a wonderful community of amazing talent, creativity, ambition and a new generation of talented and skilled young people who are eager to make their mark in this region. This investment will further develop the essential infrastructure for the booming creative screen industries in the North East.”

The Northern School of Art has recently opened a new £14.5million campus in Middlesbrough providing specialist education in the creative industries, which includes industry-standard film and television teaching studios, to support the development of talent and skills in the Tees Valley and wider region.

The Northern School of Art is continuing to respond to the growing need of trained, skilled creative talent for the UK creative industries with its new campus and its partnership development of the commercial large-scale production facility, The Northern Film & TV Studios in Hartlepool, a total investment of up to £18million funded by the Tees Valley Mayor and the Tees Valley Combined Authority with support from Hartlepool Borough Council and Middlesbrough Council to support skills and industry training in the North East.

Nina Yoxall, Studio Manager at The Northern Film & TV Studio, the North-East’s only large-scale commercial film and television production and studio complex, said: “Having worked in the television industry for over twenty years, I understand the importance of supporting the growth of talent, filming and production in the regions.

“The Northern Film & TV Studios are set to provide much-needed large-scale studio space in the region alongside some of the most stunning natural outdoor shoot locations in the country.

“As a teenager growing up in Teesside, it didn’t feel possible to pursue a career in the TV industry without making the move to London.

“This investment, alongside the development of new production facilities, such as the Studios, will help create jobs and opportunities for our homegrown talent trying to establish their careers in the screen sector.

“It feels like an incredibly exciting time for the region.”

The Northern School of Art provides industry standard training and specialist creative education from A-levels, Diplomas to Degree and Post-graduate level at its specialist campus and studios in Middlesbrough and Hartlepool. More information is available at www.northernart.ac.uk