Following a competitive bidding process, NewcastleGateshead was last month chosen to host the Great Exhibition of the North in summer 2018; a £10m programme celebrating innovation and creativity across Northern England, which will help to boost tourism and investment while leaving a lasting cultural and economic legacy. Having led the bidding process, working closely with partners across the region, we are delighted to now take forward plans which will see the whole destination as the stage for this ambitious event.
A newly commissioned creative programme will take place in a range of venues and out on the streets of NewcastleGateshead. Three walking trails across the city will be created, focusing on arts, design and innovation. Each trail will help to tell the story of the North and how its inventors, engineers, artists and designers create and export life changing products and services across the world – not just in the past, but importantly today.
The content along the walking trails will both inspire and be inspired by, a major exhibition hub at the Great North Museum: Hancock (curated by our partners at Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums), alongside major new work commissioned by BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Arts and Sage Gateshead.
Other important elements of The Great Exhibition of the North include inspiring opening and closing events, an entertaining and informative summer camp at Exhibition Park for families (part of an extensive learning and engagement programme) and a Business Expo.
NewcastleGateshead faced strong competition from a number of other bidding towns and cities, including the three other shortlisted bidders: Blackpool, Bradford and Sheffield.
The Tyneside bid was declared the winner on the recommendation of the Great Exhibition Board chaired by Sir Gary Verity.
Speaking on the day of the announcement, Culture Secretary Karen Bradley said: “The Great Exhibition of the North is fantastic news for NewcastleGateshead. It will showcase the dynamic arts, cultural and design scenes in the city and across the whole of the North.
“It’s so important that, regardless of where you’re from in the country, everyone is able to enjoy and access great culture. This cultural investment will bring enormous benefits to the region, including regeneration, increased tourism and cultural engagement. Congratulations to Newcastle-Gateshead on their successful bid – I’m excited to see what summer 2018 will bring.”
Sir Gary Verity said: “NewcastleGateshead put forward an exciting and innovative bid to host the Great Exhibition of the North. Their ambitious plans will showcase fantastic venues across the city and highlight their unique heritage, culture and design. People from across the country can expect an amazing show in summer 2018.”
Carol Bell, Culture and Major Events Director at NewcastleGateshead Initiative, said: “We are delighted to have secured the Great Exhibition of the North in 2018; it’s a fantastic achievement and a testament to the creative and innovative bid we developed with the support of many venues, organisations, partners and stakeholders here in the North East. Key bid partners include Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums, BALTIC, Sage Gateshead and the North East Culture Partnership.
“We now look forward to extending this partnership approach right across the North of England to shine a spotlight on our collective cultural assets and strengths. Together we will develop and stage an event that the whole of the North can be proud of and which we hope will have far-reaching benefits for culture, communities, tourism and businesses – in 2018 and beyond.”
Work is currently underway to recruit a number key roles, including a Creative Producer, and we are working closely with colleagues at DCMS to develop detailed plans for delivery of the programme. There will be wide ranging opportunities to get involved – from major sponsorship packages to a volunteering programme – and more details will be shared with partners and stakeholders across the North in the coming months.
To express an interest in supporting or engaging with Great Exhibition of the North 2018 in NewcastleGateshead, please contact