A MULTI-MILLION pound boost for North-East arts has been given the go-ahead.
Newcastle City Council yesterday approved a £2.3m grant towards the Great Museum of the North, which is hoped will strengthen the bid for further money for the project from the National Lottery.
Councillors also agreed to pay the final £2m needed for the transformation of Newcastle Playhouse into a European Centre for the Performing Arts.
Council leader Tony Flynn said: "The council has long recognised that culture is an important driver for our regeneration of the city.
"By contributing to such innovative cultural projects as the Great Museum of the North and the creation of a European Centre for the Performing Arts, the city council is supporting the ambitions of the whole region to generate billions of extra investment and create thousands of much-needed jobs.
"The Great Museum of the North will ensure that our cultural heritage is accessible to everyone, and the Centre for the Performing Arts will encourage our young talent. It will be part of a Cultural Quarter to compete with cities around the world."
Newcastle Playhouse is home to Northern Stage, which launched an £8m fundraising campaign to upgrade the theatre.
The £2m contribution from the council is the final part of the funding needed.
The Great Museum of the North aims to integrate art and museum collections in Newcastle.
Published: 18/12/2003
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