New Writing North, an arts charity based in Newcastle upon Tyne, has proposed the creation of the first National Centre for Writing in the north of England. The £14 million plan aims to train up a new generation of writing talent in the region, away from the publishing power and cultural hub of London. The charity is seeking £5 million from the government through its Cultural Development Fund to bring this proposal to fruition.
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness highlighted the need to redress the balance of power in the publishing industry and give opportunities to the creative talent in the North. The plan includes collaborations with Northumbria University and major UK publishers such as Hachette UK, Faber & Faber, and Simon and Schuster.
The UK’s creative industries are highly profitable, with the publishing industry alone contributing £11 billion to the economy. By supporting writers and creatives in the North East through this new centre, opportunities in various creative industries like film, TV, music, and gaming can be expanded.
The initiative also aims to address the stark poverty in the north-east region, where a quarter of children in 89% of constituencies are growing up in poverty. The hope is that this project will help reduce inequality and provide opportunities for local talent to thrive in the creative sector.
Mayor McGuinness emphasized the importance of investing in the creative industries in the North East to unlock hidden talent and ensure the region’s creative voice is heard on the national and global stage. The proposal for the National Centre for Writing represents a step towards building a more inclusive and prosperous creative landscape in the UK.
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