The culture sector in the north east is set to receive a boost of over half a million pounds, the Tees Valley Combined Authority has announced.

A total of £579,862 from the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority’s Growth Programme for the Creative and Visitor Economies will be used to fund a number of initiatives, supporting more than 850 people.

The Tees Valley New Creatives programme, initially set up in 2021 to help young people in the creative industries during the pandemic, will be one of the first to benefit.

Stockton’s ARC, which is delivering the programme, will also pilot a scheme to help cultural organisations develop strong leadership and governance.

The final strand of funding will go towards building on last year’s £1.6m Festivals Scale-Up programme to establish a network of festivals and boost volunteering.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: ‘From young new talent to our industry leaders and the workforce in between, this funding will work right across the sector at every level.

‘It will help local people into good-quality, well-paid careers in culture and the arts, and give those already working in it the skills and chance to go on to bigger and better things.

‘Ultimately, like everything we’re working to do, this will give organisations the opportunity to grow, create jobs and make Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool even better places to live and do business.'

Cllr Shane Moore, combined authority cabinet lead for Culture and Tourism and leader of Hartlepool Borough Council, said: ‘We have a wealth of culture talent in our region, and a calendar of fantastic events and festivals that draw people from far and wide.

‘This funding will help us make a step-change in how the sector operates, ensuring these bodies and festivals can become much more than the sum of their parts and deliver even more great work.’