‘Cultural champions’ celebrated

A group of ‘cultural champions’ from across the North East will be praised today at an event in Newcastle.

The champions are people who have dedicated support to their local arts scene, whether that comes in the form of giving time, offering business acumen, donating funds or even re-potting plants.

Nick Brown, Minister for the North East and MP for Newcastle East and Wallsend, will publicly acknowledge and thank them for their support at the reception at the Seven Stories Centre for Children’s Books in the Ouseburn Valley.

North East arts patrons being praised at today’s event include Dame Margaret Barbour, a major donor to the Theatre Royal’s Learning Centre; Lindy McKinnel, who helped set up Seven Stories; Pat Holmes, a founder member of the Friends of the Empire Theatre in Consett; and James Ramsbotham and Alexander Dickinson, who provided substantial support for a scheme at the Live Theatre that encourages 9/10 year olds in the poorest wards of the city to start writing.

Colin Tweedy of Arts & Business said: “Arts & Business is always looking for new ways to celebrate and profile the work of individuals who bring the very best resources to their local cultural organisations.

“Our recent figures confirm that the recession is putting pressure on private investment to the arts across the board - local and individual support becomes increasingly vital. We owe huge thanks to these Cultural Champions as they freely give their skills, energy, ideas and money to help the arts go from strength to strength.”