A specialist art and design college, famed for such alumni as film director Sir Ridley Scott and artist Mackenzie Thorpe, has joined the celebrations in welcoming the Great Exhibition of the North to the North East.

Cleveland College of Art and Design (CCAD), a leading art and design further and higher education college with sites in Middlesbrough and Hartlepool, is delighted that the bid to host the cultural and artistic heritage event has been won by NewcastleGateshead.

The two-month exhibition, planned for Summer 2018, will showcase the creative arts and cultural sectors across the northern region and will further boost the dynamic and thriving arts and culture scene.

Pat Chapman, Head of Employability and External Relations at CCAD, said: “We are really pleased that the north east have been awarded the Exhibition and offer our congratulations to the Newcastle Gateshead team on their successful bid.

“This is a recognition of the creativity and innovation in the whole region. CCAD is looking forward to the tremendous opportunities this and the legacy funding will open up for our students and graduates – giving a further boost to the growth of the creative industries in the area.”

As part of the exhibition, the Government has pledged to contribute £5m to the exhibition, along with a further £15m legacy fund to attract more cultural investment in the North.

CCAD is looking to the future needs of the ever growing creative industries with an £11m investment in its university-level campus in Hartlepool. The college is planning to build on its success as a leading creative centre of excellence with its new multi-million site now taking shape on Church Street.