A NEW consortium bringing together higher education organisations with the cultural sector in the north will be formally launched next month.

Culture Forum North, to be chaired by director of Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art (mima) Alistair Hudson, will be unveiled at a day-long launch symposium at the Howard Assembly Room in Leeds on May 24.

Mr Hudson said: "The North has a powerful and compelling history of partnership between education, culture and society.

“The time is right for us to build on this strong foundation - universities and cultural organisations are increasingly taking leading roles in civic, social and economic developments.

“The breadth of organisations involved at this forum’s foundation is testament to the knowledge and experience of the highest quality that originates in the North, and to our commitment to working together to respond to key issues and opportunities in society.”

He added: “I am confident that through our collective endeavour and in partnership with leaders nationally and internationally, the Forum will drive bold, dynamic programmes that influence positive change in thinking and practice."

Arts Council England chairman Peter Bazalgette said: “Arts Council England believes that higher education and arts partnerships can add up to so much more than the sum of their parts.

“Such partnerships in the North are bringing together creative forces that address culture, health and well-being and fuel professional skills development. And our colleges and universities as well as our arts organisations are up for it.”

Culture Forum North embraces a wide range of arts and higher education organisations across the region.