Tees Valley Launches The Engine Room To Power Creative Production And Export
A £3.8million programme to transform Tees Valley into a leading UK powerhouse of creative production has been announced.
The Engine Room represents one of the most ambitious investments ever made in the region’s creative industries and is designed to transform cultural opportunities and deliver significant improvements to Tees Valley’s creative landscape.
It will nurture local talent, attract new creators to the area, and position the region as a leading location for cultural production and innovation.
Tees Valley Combined Authority has secured £1.3million from Arts Council England – the largest single investment made by Arts Council England through its Place Partnership initiative in the North.
A further £845,000 will be provided by the Combined Authority, part funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Creative Factory, a not-for-profit Middlesbrough organisation investing £1.6m into creative production and residential space in Middlesbrough Town Centre, will also partner on The Engine Room. Started with £2m Levelling Up Funds from Middlesbrough Council, it will turbo charge growth of the region’s creative industries.
Designed to support and empower creatives at every stage of their journey, The Engine Room will deliver support based on three key areas: talent development, production and export support and a strengthened creative infrastructure.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “The Engine Room represents a huge step forward in our mission to make our region a powerhouse for creativity, culture and innovation.
“By backing our artists, performers and makers, and giving them the tools, funding and spaces they need to thrive, we’re not just investing in the arts – we’re investing in jobs, skills and local pride.
“This programme will showcase talent from Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool to the world and attract new creative businesses and talent to our region.”
Key initiatives, delivered in partnership with local cultural organisations including ARC Stockton, MIMA, New Writing North and Creative Factory will be:
Talent development retreats, conferences, and programmes in storytelling, theatre, and visual arts led by high-profile artists and industry leaders.
A commissioning programme offering first-time commissions and celebrating emerging local talent and a new partnership with ARC Stockton to develop their Production Hub to support theatre-making.
The launch of a creative agency providing vital expertise in Intellectual Property, contracting, touring, finance, marketing, and environmental sustainability.
A creative export loan scheme to support touring for live performances and visual arts by providing upfront investment support.
Investment in studio and creative production spaces through a partnership with Creative Factory in Middlesbrough, and a feasibility study and business plan for the establishment of a Creative Land Trust in Tees Valley.
The Engine Room will build a platform for creative production, support entrepreneurs and build collaboration while raising Tees Valley’s national and international profile as a destination for culture and creativity.
Councillor Pamela Hargreaves, TVCA Cabinet Lead for Creative Place and Hartlepool Borough Council leader, said: “From writing to music, and theatre to comedy, we have outstanding local talent and The Engine Room will ensure they are fully backed to develop their careers right here and produce work that showcases the very best of the what our region can offer.
“By connecting local talent with industry expertise and by strengthening the infrastructure that underpins creative production, we are building a legacy that will put Tees Valley firmly on the map as a home of world-class creative output.”
Jane Tarr, Director North East, Arts Council England said: “We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to develop their creativity and build a career right where they live. So, I’m delighted that we are funding The Engine Room to support creatives in the Tees Valley to develop their talent while also ensuring that the region has a strong cultural infrastructure so that careers can really thrive.
“It’s great to see so many organisations working together to ensure that the opportunities and investment are available to make sure that local talent can flourish while attracting creative businesses to make their home in the Tees Valley.”
Among the new Engine Room initiatives are the Tees Valley Award for writers, run by New Writing North as part of their Northern Writers’ Award programme, Rough Cut Revolutions, a regular scratch night run as part of ARC Production Hub to enable new work to be tested and showcased in a safe environment and training sessions for new creatives in how to successfully pitch and respond to creative commissions as part of Tees Valley New Creatives offer.