Special Guest Northern Highlight - Culture Bridge North East
SPECIAL GUEST NORTHERN HIGHLIGHT
Can
you start by telling us a little more about Culture Bridge North East?
Culture
Bridge North East (CBNE) collaborates
with organizations across
the North East and beyond to champion culture and the arts as vital parts of
childhood.
Arts
Council England funds 10 Bridges across England, all of which are tasked with
the strategic development of arts and cultural education by, with and for
children and young people. CBNE is
managed by Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums and based at the Discovery
Museum in Newcastle.
Culture
Bridge North East’s vision is that everyone growing up in our region should
have a childhood rich with arts and culture. We believe that arts and cultural
education is not only the spark that creates the artists, performers, makers
and curators of the future, but that it is essential for children’s quality of
life. We
know that taking part in excellent cultural education enables children to make
meaning, discover connections with others, find and develop their unique
talents, and build the confidence, resilience and transferable skills that set
them up for life.
As
Area Manager for Sunderland and Gateshead, I work to build collaborative
relationships between the cultural and education sectors. I’m
also CBNEs lead
on our CPD programmes.
My early career was as a Children’s Librarian and my love for the arts definitely started with books.
What
unique qualities does your location bring to the organisation?
The
North East has
so much to offer. It's so diverse, there’s so
much history and it makes our role
of connecting up our education sector
with our cultural sector a
dream.
We
have beautiful cities and countryside, an
amazing coastline,
bridges, castles,
and hundreds
of fantastic cultural
venues such
as Seven Stories, The Word, Sage
Gateshead, Baltic and Sunderland
Empire. There
really is something for everyone!
Are
there any events planned for the next few months that you would like to share
with us?
Find all of our other events here: culturebridgenortheast.org.uk/events
What
is for you the "Spirit
of the North"?
It's
so many things, but
for me it’s
definitely the warmth of the people with
a bit of no-nonsense grit
thrown in! When I'm away
from home, hearing
a Geordie accent is
the most comforting thing.
Can
you share any thoughts about how creative industries in the North can better
support and encourage the work of creatives working with and for
children?
Hire a young creative apprentice! Here at CBNE we have had the pleasure of offering three 2-year apprenticeships in community arts administration. All three of our fantastic apprentices went on to secure careers in the cultural sector plus we also employed our last apprentice as project officer here at CBNE. Their perspective has been invaluable especially around engaging with young people in the arts.
What is your favourite Children's
book set in the North?
The 1000 year-old boy by Ross Welford, Harper Collins, 2018
“Alfie Monk is
like any other nearly teenage boy except he’s 1,000 years old and can remember
the last Viking invasion of England. Obviously, no one believes
him”
I really love "The 1000 year-old boy" as its set in Tyneside where I grew up and still live and starts in South Shields in AD 1014. It thoughtfully explores issues such as grief, bullying, isolation and responsibility plus it features brilliant cameos from Charles Dickens and our very own Bede. Most Year 6 kids can’t put it down and I couldn’t too!
For me it
really makes you cherish
being a child or raising one and celebrates the importance
of friendships. This quote from the
book says it all.
“I long to grow up to be a man. I long to be in a hurry to do something, before time runs out. I long for the feeling that life is precious, that I have to cram as much as I can into every sun-drenched day and every frost-filled night; to know that childhood is special because it does not last forever; to have friends like Aidan and Roxy, who will not look at me strangely, and then turn away from me when I fail to age like them.”
To know more about Culture Bridge North East, don't forget to follow them on Social Media:
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