The North East Culture Partnership (NECP) has launched the Case for Culture North East project, which will set out an ambitious vision for cultural development in the North East over the next 15 years, informed and shaped by people living, working and creating in the region.

The Case for Culture will focus particularly on arts and heritage, also exploring important connections with tourism, sport and the creative industries. The Northern School of Art have been involved in consultations alongside the other fantastic arts organisations in the North East.

We were delighted to be mentioned by name in the full Case for Culture report which was launched on 29th July 2015. Within the report the fact that we were ‘named as one of the top ten art and design degree shows to attend in 2015 by Aesthetica magazine, the British art and culture magazine’ is mentioned, as is student-centred work alongside ‘cultural partners including Stockton International Riverside Festival and Captain Cook Birthplace Museum to develop live industry briefs for students.’

The Case for Culture will be an important tool in helping to drive investment in culture in the North East, recognising the sector’s significant potential for growth.

The Case for Culture includes five specific aspirations:

• To spread the benefits of arts and heritage to a further 500,000 people per year, thereby taking a national lead;
• To enable 285,000 more children and young people from all walks of life to enjoy greater access to culture and creativity, thereby gaining in confidence, happiness and health;
• To attract and attain the best creative talent with a view to growing a more skilled and diverse workforce;
• Boosting the creative economy by attracting more visitors and significantly increasing the 70,000 jobs in the sector;
• Building on the region’s “distinctiveness” and “rich natural and historic environment” to further enhance quality of life and the conditions necessary for innovation and investment.

It will look at what culture has to offer the region, considering the economy, health and wellbeing, sense of place and communities – as well as future ambitions for 2030 and what practical things are needed (over and above further funding!) to make this vision a reality.