Arts funding creates 200 new jobs

More than 200 new jobs are being created with the multi-million pound funding of arts projects across the north-east of England.

Arts Council England has won £3.1m from Europe to fund a range of culture schemes in the region.

The money will support 34 projects, assist 1,782 businesses, train 1,621 individuals and create 227 jobs.

Schemes on Tyneside, Teesside, County Durham and Northumberland are all set to benefit from the funding package.

Andrew Dixon, executive director at Arts Council England, North East, said: "The North East is being transformed by culture-led regeneration.

"Baltic, the Sage Gateshead, the Centre for Children's Books, Dance City and Middlesbrough's Institute of Modern Art are making a real difference to the aspiration and economic prosperity of the North East.

"Continued funding will enable the cultural sector to access high quality business and professional support and so create the foundations for successful and sustainable culture-led regeneration."