ARTS groups in the region are to share a multi-million pound cash pot.
Arts Council England, North East, has announced a boost for the region's arts, in a three-year spending plan.
The Creative Partnerships pilot scheme in County Durham and Wearside will be expanded with about £1m.
The National Association of Youth Theatres gets a 134 per cent increase in funds for their base at Darlington and the North-East rock music agency, Generator, will receive £100,000.
There will be extra funding for drama at Durham's Gala Theatre, while The Forge arts in education project receives a 63 per cent increase in its Arts Council grant.
The National Glass Centre, in Sunderland, has its grant more than doubled, to £136,839. There will also be arts development funding for Teesdale, Wear Valley, Derwentside, Easington and Chester-le-Street.
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