Earlier this year, the North East Mayor, Kim McGuinness, pledged support for the region’s creative industries including a new £2.2m Small Venues Fund. Fancy a slice?

Small venues (such as Independent in Sunderland – pictured) are the absolute lifeblood of the regional live scene. As Newcastle-based comedian Lauren Pattison recently said, “They’re a launchpad for careers and an all-important place for local people to get behind their own and support local talent.” Of this new fund Kim McGuinness commented, “Grassroots venues are a cornerstone to our identity, and vital for our future as a creative powerhouse. But years of tax hikes and lack of support means it’s harder than ever for venues to stay open, let alone thrive or grow. This fund is about protecting the places where local talent takes its first steps and legacies are started, and where friends come together and memories are made. This is just part of my plan to build resilience and create opportunities across the whole creative industries in the region, from first gigs to big stages, to skills and training, and boosting events that local people across the region can enjoy.” The three-year fund will deliver grants from £3,000 to £100,000 to enable small venues in the region of up to 300 seated capacity (or approx. 500 standing) to invest in equipment and infrastructure, or boost revenue-making operations. If you’d like to be kept in the loop then join the Small Venues Fund mailing list. The Small Venues Fund will open for applications this September.

Join the Small Venues Fund mailing list by visiting: northeast-ca.gov.uk/projects/small-venues-fund