Creative Places: Gateshead Culture Strategy
Underpinnings
This strategy is underpinned by a deep analysis of the cultural, economic, and social geographies of Gateshead, the North East, and the country. This is not because we want Gateshead to be like everyone else, we do not, it is because we want to use culture as a tool to take advantage of emerging opportunities to tackle some of Gateshead's biggest challenges.
The UK's Industrial Strategy is the central plank of the government's economic mission. It recognises the Creative Industries as a driving force of the economy with specific support for music, skills, careers, regional growth, and post-16 education. Likewise, our strategy considers how cultural organisations and the creative industries can support the economic futures of people across Gateshead.
Gateshead is also part of the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority (NEMSA). NEMSA brings together seven local authorities to coordinate on issues such a transport, skills, and business growth. In the broader cultural sector NEMSA has prioritised events, the visitor economy, creative industries, culture led regeneration, and investment to boost jobs, talent, and opportunities across music, film/TV, gaming, theatre, writing, and other creative sectors. Our own strategy reflects these ambitions and welcomes NEMSA as a partner in growing Gateshead's own creative industries and cultural impact.
The cultural strategy will also support Gateshead's wider ambitions. It will contribute to closing health inequalities across the Borough. Culture and the creative industries will be a key lever in using assets for community benefits. The culture strategy will help build footfall, celebrate our communities through culture, bring pride through art and public events, help rejuvenate places, and it will bring people together. It is an ambition for the future and a reminder that our shared identity has been forged by a history of industry, public art, nature trails, three registered parks, one registered historic battlefield, and framed by brutalist architecture, stained glass, and postmodern designs.
