New chapter for arts as £2m set aside for centre

NORTH East leaders say a planned £2m Centre for Writing will help to bridge the gap in cultural funding between London and the North East.

- JAMES ROBINSON

Speaking at Tuesday's meeting of the North East Combined Authority's cabinet, mayor Kim McGuinness also urged the Government to devolve decisions on arts council funding to a regional level.

The centre, which will be based in Newcastle, aims to provide opportunities and careers for North East residents in the creative industries.

It is hoped the centre will “cement the region’s place as a national centre for writing and literature” and attract big-name publishers.

North East Combined Authority (NECA) will now acquire a city-based property in Newcastle.

This will be redeveloped into the Centre for Writing, which will be operated as a joint venture between Tyneside-based charity New Writing North (NWN) and Northumbria University.