Culture and Creative
The culture and visitor economy offers enormous opportunities to support growth. The North of Tyne Combined Authority (NTCA) is developing and supporting innovative, sustainable and inclusive programmes and partnerships that can help raise the profile of the region, as both a visitor destination and as an attractive environment for creative and cultural businesses and freelancers to start-up, grow and flourish.
NTCA currently delivers and funds a diverse portfolio of activity that seeks, through partnership with stakeholders, to maximise the potential and talent of our region’s people, cultural organisations, creative businesses and tourism assets.
NTCA is supporting a diverse range of business support programmes, skills bootcamps, cultural events and tourism products which will be delivered in the next few years.
What support is available?
- Business Support
- Skills Development
- Access to Finance
- High Growth Potential
- Tourism and Events
If you are a creative business, freelancer or individual, you can benefit from our comprehensive portfolio of support packages and funding opportunities, specifically designed to elevate your venture to new heights.
With tailored support specifically relating to the creative sector, the region presents an exceptional environment for starting, growing, or relocating your business, enabling you to unleash your full potential in the creative industries.
Whether you are just beginning your journey, seeking to enhance your skills, or considering a new career, there are programmes to cater to your unique needs and aspirations.
Our Culture, Creative and Tourism brochure details what options are available, how to access support and where to find further information.
Create Growth Programme
The programme is designed for creative businesses with high-growth potential to become investment ready. Providing high-growth businesses between the seed and scaling stages, with the support and the investment they need to grow their business and turn their innovative creative ideas into the leading creative businesses of the future.
View ProjectCreative People: Skills for the Culture and Creative Sector
NTCA has Investment Fund projects to the value of 5 million for specific training for work in the creative, digital and green sectors. These are exciting opportunities for residents to engage with bespoke skills provision in both growth and specialist sectors for the North of Tyne area.
View ProjectCulture and Creative Investment Programme
A combined package of financial and business support designed to grow the creative and cultural industries in the region. Through enhancing business skills, supporting the development of new products and services and enabling businesses to grow, we aim to create a more resilient and sustainable economy for culture and creative freelancers and businesses.
View ProjectCulture and Creative Zones
The NTCA has identified and funded three areas in the region to be Cultural and Creative Zones (CCZ); Berwick, central Newcastle and North Shields.
A CCZ is a designated area set up to support people and grow businesses working in the cultural and creative industries, providing a supportive and attractive environment for cultural and creative businesses and people to locate, start-up, grow, and flourish.
View ProjectNorth East Screen
The package of support aspires to develop a vibrant screen industry in the North East by integrating various sectors and promoting diversity and inclusiveness. North East Screen works with emerging professionals, home grown filmmakers, production companies and artist filmmakers specialising in film, TV and screen-based arts, to support the growth of the North East screen sector.
View ProjectRural Initiatives
The Rural North of Tyne has several unique strengths and opportunities in our natural environment, diverse businesses and land-based industries.
NTCA in partnership with local authorities and key stakeholders are supporting growth in the rural economy through a series of initiatives and business support programmes.
Local Nature Recovery Strategies
Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS) are a new way of prioritising nature needs on a focused and local level. Each LNRS will be specific and tailored to its location and will help people to see where action to recover nature would be most effective.
View ProjectNorthumberland Small Business Service
Northumberland Small Business Service (NSBS) launched in August 2023. Delivered by Advance Northumberland, NSBS will deliver a new programme of business support to help small and micro businesses across Northumberland to start and grow.
View ProjectRural Asset Multiplier Programme (RAMP)
The Rural Asset Multiplier Pilot (RAMP) is a new programme of activity investing in Northumberland’s natural, economic, and cultural assets. The RAMP will work to enhance the environment, grow the rural economy, and improve opportunity and prosperity in communities.
View ProjectTourism and Events
The North East is home to some of the UK’s most popular events and our thriving tourism trade attracts visitors from all over the world. Visitors can explore new adventures and immerse themselves in the region’s attraction through bookable packages, tours and experiences.
By fostering an environment where everyone can create unforgettable memories, we are investing in our community’s wellbeing and building a vibrant, sustainable future that benefits everyone in the region.
Tourism Events
The North East has a unique blend of history, culture and natural beauty from Newcastle’s vibrant city centre, to Northumberland’s charming market towns and countryside, to the stunning coastline spanning from North Tyneside to the Scottish Borders.
View ProjectTourism Products
Visitors can explore new adventures and immerse themselves in the region’s attraction through bookable packages, tours and experiences.
View Project