The NewBridge Project is celebrating today after receiving news of a significant grant of £70,000 from Arts Council England National Lottery fund for it’s up and coming 2017 artistic programme. It comes a month after also receiving notification of a £10,000 grant from Newcastle Culture Investment Fund at Community Foundation for Tyne & Wear and Northumberland.
The two grants will enable the organisation to deliver a new 12month programme of events and commissions and the presentation of new artworks across Newcastle.
Following on from the success of lasts years Hidden Civil War festival, which included artworks, performances, public-realm interventions, talks and film screenings from 91 different internationally-renowned artists and activists. The grant will enable the organisation to commission a small number of regional artists to create new work that engages with the community and is responsive to the needs of the city, particularly looking at austerity, health and well being, regeneration and poverty. These works will then be presented in the public realm in and around Newcastle and Gateshead.
Charlie Gregory, NewBridge director said of the news “You cannot underestimate the impact that the creative sector has on the region, not only in term of economics, but also in the development of our communities, in its impact on well being and in its ability to speak to and highlight maybe some of the issues within our society and region that are hidden or overlooked. This funding will enable us to continue our pioneering work. We are therefore very thankful for the continued support of Arts Council England, Newcastle City Council and The Community Foundation.”
Ellie Turner, Community Foundation Principal Advisor for Culture said “The project addressed the fund’s aim to support a vibrant cultural sector in Newcastle. The project will commission a regional artist to respond to a brief on the ‘Health of the city and people of Newcastle’, which will be unveiled in the city next year.”
