Tees Valley – Officially a Great Place

Tees Valley Combined Authority has secured £1.5 million as part of the Heritage Lottery Fund and Arts Council England  Great Place scheme to fund activities which will put arts, culture and heritage at the heart of the community.

The Tees Valley is one of only 16 areas chosen to pilot the scheme.

Led by Tees Valley Combined Authority, the Great Place – Greater Tees project will provide funding for a number of arts and cultural organisations across Tees Valley and support popular existing events as well as new initiatives.  Partners in the project are:

• Tees Valley Combined Authority (lead partner)
• ARC
• Hullabaloo
• Mima
• Stockton International Riverside Festival (SIRF)
• Festival of Thrift
• Cleveland College of Art and Design
• Teesside University
• Tees Valley Arts
• Tees Music Alliance
• Palace Arts
• Groundwork Trust
• Darlington Borough Council
• Hartlepool Council
• Middlesbrough Council
• Redcar and Cleveland Council
• Stockton on Tees Council

Tees Valley Combined Authority is committed to supporting arts and culture and recognise its importance in a growing economy.  Its Strategic Economic Plan aim is ‘to build cultural vibrancy in our communities and change external perceptions of Tees Valley through the arts, cultural and leisure offer whilst creating places that attract and retain businesses and business leaders and make the area more attractive to investors, workers and visitors.’ 

Tees Valley Combined Authority and the five Tees Valley local Authorities have provided match funding for the scheme, In addition proposals for initial investment in culture and tourism which will see almost £11 million invested across Tees Valley over five years will be discussed at the Board meeting on 22^nd March 2017.

Welcoming the announcement David Budd, Chair and Culture and Tourism lead at Tees Valley Combined Authority said:   “We are absolutely delighted to receive this significant funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Arts Council, which will support arts, culture and heritage across our region.

“Culture comes in many different forms and the mix of projects that will benefit from the funding demonstrates this.   Arts and culture bring communities and generations together and play an important role in integration and cohesion across Tees Valley.

“To be chosen to pilot the scheme is very rewarding and will enable us to build on Tees Valley’s cultural heritage and already vibrant arts scene.  We already know that Tees Valley is a ‘Great Place’ and now we have the opportunity to make its cultural offering even greater.”

Sarah Maxfield, Area Director North, Arts Council England, said: “The Great Place Scheme intends to put culture at the heart of local communities. The National Lottery funding we are investing through this scheme in towns, cities and rural areas across the North will bring both economic and social benefits.”

ENDS

NEWS RELEASE: ISSUED ON BEHALF OF TEES VALLEY COMBINED AUTHORITY

CONTACT: Catherine Gordon on 01642 632022 or Caroline Walker on 01325 363436

Notes to Editor:

Great Place Scheme

More information on the Great Place Scheme is available at: http://www.greatplacescheme.org.uk

The Great Place Scheme, using funds raised by the National Lottery, will initially be piloted in 16 locations across England. Funding comes from HLF and Arts Council England, each of which are contributing £10m for projects lasting up to three years.  There will also be complementary support from other organisations where relevant, such as Historic England through its Heritage Action Zone initiative.

The Great Place Scheme will initially fund 16 pilot projects in England. HLF expects to open the Scheme in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland during 2017.

Tees Valley Mayoral Election

On the 4th of May 2017, residents of Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland and Stockton-on-Tees will elect a new Mayor for the Tees Valley. The Tees Valley Mayor will work alongside the five Tees Valley Councils to improve the economy of the area, bring in new investment and create jobs.

To find out more please visit www.teesvalleymayor.co.uk

Tees Valley Combined Authority

The Tees Valley Combined Authority was created in April 2016. Its purpose is to drive economic growth and job creation in the area. It is a partnership of five authorities; Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar & Cleveland and Stockton-on-Tees, working closely with the business community and other partners to make local decisions to support the growth of our economy. Under the devolution deal with Government, its taking on new responsibilities previously held by Westminster and Whitehall; for transport, infrastructure, skills, business investment, housing, culture and tourism.

To find out more please visit www.teesvalley-ca.gov.uk