Durham University is consistently ranked among the top ten universities in the UK and the top 100 institutions in the world. Founded in 1832 around Durham Castle, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Durham Castle and Cathedral, today its estate
includes buildings both ancient and modern. Its world-class research spans the sciences, social sciences and business, and arts and humanities.

As a leader in civic culture and heritage, Durham University is proud to sponsor the NE Culture Awards, building on its long commitment to promoting culture in the region. Other cultural events the University has recently played a leading role in include:
~ The Light Years project, a three-year programme of dynamic art-science collaborations celebrating the 1,200-year history of space science in County Durham as part of the City of Culture project Into the Light
~ The Summer of Shakespeare Festival, which celebrated 400 years of Shakespeare in Durham through world-class theatre performances
~ The Durham Book Festival, a long weekend filled with over 35 events and guest appearances by famous contemporary authors
~ The UPNorth forum, which brought together thought leaders from across the North East to discuss how to unlock the region’s potential.

The University has just launched its Transformative Humanities framework, which brings together distinctive approaches to humanities research and education across a wide range of partners and communities.

MIMA connects art, people and ideas to empower creative lives and positively contribute to society.

As the creative heart of Teesside University, MIMA is dedicated to collaborative learning, research and innovation.

An international art gallery and museum, we commission, collect and re-think modern and contemporary art.

We build and celebrate creativity and support change towards an open and inclusive future, through dedicated work with our many communities and with our students.

We are proud to sponsor the Culture Awards this year.

MIMA is an accredited museum, a Plus Tate gallery and an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation.

Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) is a partnership of five local authorities; Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar & Cleveland and Stockton-on-Tees, working closely with the Business Board, wider business community and other partners to make local decisions to support the growth of our economy.

TVCA’s Growth Programme for the Creative and Visitor Economies is a £20.5million programme to drive forward the region’s cultural, creative and hospitality sectors and its destination marketing and management operation. The programme is providing dynamic, versatile and accessible assistance for sector businesses to support cluster formation and development. Our ambition is to create a nourishing and rewarding environment which makes this a great place to be creative and builds the next generation of cultural and creative leaders to continue the momentum.

We are investing to grow our indigenous festival ecology and nurture a year-round festivals and events offer which acts as a magnet for bringing communities together and attracting visitors to the region. Tees Valley is also a leading partner in the North East Screen Industries Partnership, which sees the wider geography unite behind shared ambitions for screen industries growth.

To find out more go to: teesvalley-ca.gov.uk/business/creative-and-visitor-economy-growth-programme/

The Northern School of Art is a specialist art and design further education college situation in the Tees Valley, with a history of providing exceptional art and design education in the region since 1870. The School is one of only two remaining specialist art and design institutions in the further education sector in the UK, and is unique in the northeast of England as the only specialist provider of art and design education. Through its high-quality provision, the School aims to provide an outstanding student experience in support the creatives of the next generation.

The Northern School of Art is thrilled to once again be supporting the North East Culture Awards and sponsoring the newcomer award. To be part of uplifting, celebrating and promoting the incredible creative talent of the North East in particular emerging artists and designer is a value central to the Schools ethos.