CULTURE businesses in the region have secured £3.1m in European funding that will help to create more than 200 jobs.
Arts Council England won the funding for training and development in the region's cultural sector.
The money will support 34 projects, help 1,782 businesses, train 1,621 people and create 227 jobs.
Andrew Dixon, executive director at Arts Council England, North-East, said: "The North-East is being transformed by culture-led regeneration.
"Baltic, The Sage Gateshead, Seven Stories - the Centre for Children's Books, DanceCity and Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art are making a real difference to the aspiration and economic prosperity of the North-East.
"Continued funding will enable the cultural sector to access high-quality business and professional support and so create the foundations for successful and sustainable culture-led regeneration."
The Arts Council has been carrying out its cultural training initiative with help from the Government Office for the North-East.
Regional director Jonathan Blackie said: "Traditionally, the arts sector has found it difficult to access funding of this scale.
"But the Arts Council has developed this project to connect small businesses, not only with European funding but also a wealth of guidance and support."
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