North East Mayor vows to turbo-charge region's creative industries through new £25m cash boost

The cash boost will be used to nurture new talent and help a whole generation of musicians, performers, artists, writers and filmmakers to build thriving careers right here in our region, giving them the springboard to shine on the global stage.

From hearing North East accents in TV and film to helping the next Jade or Sam Fender find a recording studio that kickstarts their career, Mayor Kim has secured the funding as part of her manifesto pledge to transform the creative industries.

Kim McGuinness, North East Mayor, said: "There are so many amazing, creative people in our region and we want to give them the chance to shine and build thriving careers that match their ambition.

"This is a £25m boost to our ambitions for culture in the North East, so we can be there to help you if you're making music, games, film or theatre, to drive your creative practice and business forward, and showcase your energy and skills right across our brilliant creative industries." 

"I meet people all the time who have the ideas and the talent but just need a little helping hand to set them on their way. 

"We're supporting talent not just because that creates opportunities and lets people forge new careers but because their work cuts right through our diverse communities and makes the North East a place we're proud to be from."

Mayor Kim has already put the creative industries at the heart of work to create new jobs for local people, with funding for the Crown Works film studio in Sunderland, a new national centre for writing and the North East’s first major label recording studio to be opened in Newcastle.

The Mayor and North East Combined Authority has also backed successful bids to bring the Mercury Prize to the region, as well as last year’s Mobo awards.

The North East CA is also funding local groups and arts organisations to develop plans to set up or grow smaller festivals and events across the region from a separate £360,000 programme.

Today it was confirmed the North East is one of only six UK regions to have been awarded £25 million as part of the Government’s Creative Places Growth Fund, recognising its strength in supporting creative industries.

This funding will grow already booming areas including film and TV, publishing, music and video games.

Mayor Kim said she will use the fund to support creative professionals, businesses and young people with practical measures like access to finance, mentoring with established artists and networking opportunities to help them make the breakthrough their talent deserves.

Lisa Nandy, Culture Secretary, said: “Creativity has no postcode - whether it’s a musician in Newcastle, a filmmaker in Sunderland, or a video games developer in Durham. 

“We know that it is not one size fits all. That’s why we are committed to growing our creative industries in every corner of the nation as part of our Creative Industries Sector Plan, and hope that this devolved funding will be just what these regions need to make their creative industries the best that they can be.”

The £25 million investment will be spread over three years starting in 2026.