Cleveland College of Art and Design (CCAD) has joined the celebrations and welcomed the funding for the ‘Great Place’ project which will help put the Tees Valley on the cultural and arts map.

Tees Valley Combined Authority has secured £1.5 million as part of the Heritage Lottery Fund and Arts Council England ‘Great Place’ scheme to fund activities which will put arts, culture and heritage at the heart of the community. 

The Tees Valley is one of only 16 areas chosen to pilot the scheme. Led by Tees Valley Combined Authority, the Great Place – Greater Tees project will provide funding for a number of arts and cultural organisations across Tees Valley and support popular existing events as well as new initiatives.

As one of the partners in the project – which includes MIMA, Tees Valley Arts, Festival of Thrift and all five local authorities amongst other arts and cultural organisations – CCAD welcomes the investment.

Pat Chapman, Head of Employability and External Relations at CCAD, said: “We are delighted with the result of the funding for The Great Place Project, which will further enhance and sustain the arts in the Tees Valley as well as help develop career pathways and public engagement with the arts.”

Tees Valley Combined Authority is committed to supporting arts and culture and recognise its importance in a growing economy.  Its Strategic Economic Plan aim is ‘to build cultural vibrancy in our communities and change external perceptions of Tees Valley through the arts, cultural and leisure offer whilst creating places that attract and retain businesses and business leaders and make the area more attractive to investors, workers and visitors.’ 

Tees Valley Combined Authority and the five Tees Valley local authorities have provided match funding for the scheme. In addition, proposals for initial investment in culture and tourism which will see almost £11 million invested across Tees Valley over five years will be discussed this month.

Welcoming the announcement David Budd, Chair and Culture and Tourism lead at Tees Valley Combined Authority said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive this significant funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Arts Council, which will support arts, culture and heritage across our region.

“Culture comes in many different forms and the mix of projects that will benefit from the funding demonstrates this.   Arts and culture bring communities and generations together and play an important role in integration and cohesion across Tees Valley.

“To be chosen to pilot the scheme is very rewarding and will enable us to build on Tees Valley’s cultural heritage and already vibrant arts scene.  We already know that Tees Valley is a ‘Great Place’ and now we have the opportunity to make its cultural offering even greater.”

Sarah Maxfield, Area Director North, Arts Council England, said: “The Great Place Scheme intends to put culture at the heart of local communities. The National Lottery funding we are investing through this scheme in towns, cities and rural areas across the North will bring both economic and social benefits.”