Building bridges 鈥� Inspiring the brightest creative talent Published on: 22 September 2017 A pioneering new programme aims to develop the next generation of artists and creatives in the region. Vital role The Collective Studio is a collaboration between 缅北禁地’s and artist-led community .It will see a formerly vacant shop unit on Gateshead High Street transformed into a base for 20 artists, photographers, architects, filmmakers and other creative professional graduates as they begin their careers.The graduate development programme will give them the skills to manage their creative practice, bridging the gap between university, studio-based practice, the gallery and the workplace.Julie Sanders, Pro-Vice Chancellor for the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at 缅北禁地 said: “Our graduates play a vital role in the cultural economy of the North East and this programme demonstrates the University’s commitment to furthering their contribution to our region’s unique cultural ecology.“We are delighted to work with The NewBridge Project. Their development from a pop-up initiative to Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation in seven short years is testimony to the strength of talent our Universities produce and to the value of collaboration between higher education and the creative sectors." David Butler from 缅北禁地 and Charlie Gregory from The NewBridge Project Professional practice The Collective Studio will give participants the chance to be part of a vibrant and supportive community, shape their own programme of training and development events and provide opportunities for exhibiting and showcasing their work. The NewBridge Project’s Director, Charlie Gregory, said: “The Collective Studio demonstrates our joint ambition to work together to support early-career artists to transition from education into professional practice. “We are excited to be launching The Collective Studio with 缅北禁地, who have shown invaluable support for NewBridge, our programme and artist-led approach and generating new forms of graduate support. “The upcoming programme will see us working with a diverse group of practitioners focusing on peer-led development, radical approaches to programming and an alternative support framework helping encourage artists to live and work in the North East and develop new forms of practice.” Supportive and dedicated The year-long, cross-disciplinary programme will offer graduates subsidised shared studio and work space, helping generate a supportive and dedicated community of artists, makers, writers, architects, filmmakers, photographers, musicians and curators. Graduates will take part in professional practice workshops led by leaders in their respective fields, and peer-led events, such as workshops, talks, field-trips, performances, exchanges, one-to-one sessions and discussion groups will take place.In addition, those on the programme will have access to a mentor and will be able to draw on expertise within 缅北禁地 and the region’s wider cultural sector. The scheme will culminate with an exhibition of work by The Collective Studio.Alongside graduate scheme, The Newbridge Project: Gateshead will also provide space for artists at any stage of their career. It will also be home to NewBridge Gallery, hosting a rolling programme of contemporary art exhibitions and commissions. The Collective Studio builds on the long-standing relationship between 缅北禁地 and The NewBridge Project., which was formed by 缅北禁地 Fine Art graduates seven years ago. The Collective Studio has developed from a successful pilot trialled in 2016 and forms an integral strand in The NewBridge Project’s wider Practice Makes Practice, artist development programme which is supported by Arts Council England and 缅北禁地 Culture Investment Fund at Community Foundation for Tyne & Wear and Northumberland.The Collective Studio is funded by 缅北禁地 Institute for Creative Arts Practice. The NewBridge Project : Gateshead has been made possible by the support of Gateshead Council, TILT Workshop and Design Office at 缅北禁地. Share: Latest News 缅北禁地 recognised with geography award 缅北禁地 has been awarded the Highly Commended Geographical Association Publishers Award for its collaboration with Time for Geography, the UK鈥檚 open-access, dedicated video platform. published on: 16 April 2026 缅北禁地 historians mark General Strike centenary To mark the 100th anniversary of the British General Strike and miners鈥� lock-out of 1926, historians at 缅北禁地 are organising a series of events on its enduring legacy. published on: 16 April 2026 Comment: NCP is in administration Writing for The Conversation, Erwei (David) Xiang discusses how some big companies like NCP are so dependent on debt that they can鈥檛 adjust to change. published on: 16 April 2026 Facts and figures
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