The NewBridge Project are celebrating after becoming a new Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation
The NewBridge Project are thrilled to have been awarded National Portfolio funding by Arts Council England, securing regular funding for 4years from 1 April 2018 to 31 March 2022.
The NewBridge Project have been awarded £280,000 over the 4year period, amounting to £70,000 per year.
The significant investment from Arts Council England will enable The NewBridge Project to develop and deliver an ambitious artist-led programme of exhibitions and commissions, artist development opportunities and provision of creative workspace.
Charlie Gregory, Director of The NewBridge Project says: “We are very excited to have been awarded NPO status and hugely grateful to Arts Council England for their investment and commitment to NewBridge and what we do.
We have ambitious and big future plans and this is the first step to realising them. The award is a massive vote of confidence in NewBridge and demonstrates our hugely valuable work in supporting artists to develop their practice and grow sustainable careers.
We are a relatively young organisation, but in our 7 years we have grown quickly, adapting to our changing environment to become an important part of the arts ecology in the North East of England; supporting over 1000 artists and benefitting over 800,000 audiences through our artistic programme in the last 18months alone.
We are delighted to be joining so many amazing organisations in the national portfolio.”
Will Strong, Chair of the board of trustees, The NewBridge Project says: “It is a huge honour to have secured regular funding from Arts Council England. Since 2010, The NewBridge Project has worked continuously to be a resource in the North East from which exciting projects can develop and professional practice can grow. NPO status means a secured future for the organisation, its programme and the community it supports. At this time of economic uncertainty, this is a great vote of confidence in NewBridge’s contribution to the region and the quality of the work it produces.”
Julia Bell, Trustee of The NewBridge Project says: “The Arts Council award of NPO status to The NewBridge Project is recognition of the value and impact the organisation has within the artistic community of the North. Securing regular funding will ensure that as NewBridge continues to develop as an organisation, it has a strong base from which to work and support artists and their practice and impact the communities it serves. Congratulations to the young, strong gutsy senior management team who lead this fantastic organisation.”
Earlier this year The NewBridge Project moved from their home of 7 years on New Bridge St West, after been given 6 months’ notice due to demolition of the site. NewBridge moved to new premises, Carliol House in April 2017.
The NPO announcement comes 4 months after NewBridge being awarded £70,000 from Arts Council England grants for the arts programme for it’s 2017 artistic programme and a £10,000 grant from Newcastle Culture Investment Fund at Community Foundation for Tyne & Wear and Northumberland. The National Portfolio funding will follow on from these grants in April 2018.
The NewBridge Project is currently supported by Arts Council England Grants for the Arts programme, Newcastle University and Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland and the Newcastle Culture Investment Fund.
Image: Richard DeDomenici, Free Balloons, part of Hidden Civil War at The NewBridge Project, Oct 2016 (photo by: Kuba Ryniewicz)
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About The NewBridge Project:
The NewBridge Project is a active and vibrant artist-led community supporting the development of artists and curators through the provision of space for creative practice, curatorial opportunities and an ambitious artist-led programme of exhibitions, commissions, artist development and events.
The NewBridge Project was established in 2010 to provide exchange and support in an engaged and discursive community of artists. We develop artistic talent through artist development programmes, curatorial opportunities and provision of space. The shared workspace is a critical and collaborative environment that allows artists to discuss and develop new ideas and projects.
We aim to deliver an outstanding programme of exhibitions, performances, screenings, educational talks and workshops in consultation with artist members, creating a programme responsive to the socio, political and civic environment within which it exists and seeks to be a genuine community resource.
