Middlesbrough puts culture at the heart of town
Cultural Development Fund (CDF) Network partner, Middlesbrough, has set out an ambitious plan to put culture at the heart of Middlesbrough’s future as the town starts the countdown to its 200th anniversary. Coinciding with the visit of King Charles and Queen Camilla, leading organisations in the town have set out a bold vision of investment in culture and creativity between now and the bicentenary celebrations in 2030.
Communities put on a vibrant welcome as the town hosted the United Kingdom’s Head of State for the first time since 1993. Middlesbrough Council, Teesside University, the Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art (MIMA) and the Middlesbrough Cultural Partnership came together to host a huge public event in Centre Square.
Titled Love Boro, musical and poetry performances celebrated Centre Square’s designation as the cultural heart of the town. More than 700 Middlesbrough schoolchildren who had attended a National Literacy Trust event at the town hall with Queen Camilla joined the crowds to wave Their Majesties off.
Dr Laura Sillars, Dean of Culture & Creativity at Teesside University, had earlier introduced the King and Queen to Stuart Langley, a Teesside artist whose public art installation Love IRL was on display in the square. Dr Sillars said:
“A vibrant and hugely diverse cultural community sits at the heart of Middlesbrough. We are delighted to launch our ambitions to further nurture and grow this as we look towards 2030, the bicentenary of our town. Since its formation, Middlesbrough has been a place of innovation and creative spirit and the University and MIMA are proud to play such a key role in this. We have invited the King and Queen to return in 2030 as we celebrate our town’s next chapter”.
Cllr Philippa Storey, Deputy Mayor and Executive member for Culture and Education at Middlesbrough Council, said:
“Culture already plays a massive role in what’s attractive about our town. Our partners in the Middlesbrough Cultural Partnership have led the way for many years in bringing our communities together and hosting brilliant events and exhibitions. Having the 2030 anniversary to look forward to means we can place even more emphasis on culture and creativity and work together to come up with even more bold and imaginative ways to attract people to Middlesbrough. I’m confident the next five years can be brilliant for our town – particularly our young people – building on the inspirational work of the National Literacy Trust and others.”
The past two years have seen over £80m invested in cultural infrastructure in the Middlesbrough, including DCMS funding through the Cultural Development Fund (CDF) to support the expansion of the MIMA, The Auxiliary, Platform Arts and the ongoing redevelopment of Central Library into a captivating literacy and learning space for children.
Other recent developments include:
- Industry leading gaming firm Double Eleven choosing Boho X as its UK headquarters
- The launch of a refurbished Platform Arts Gallery and studio space in partnership with Network Rail
- The ongoing expansion of The Auxiliary, an artist-led studio and gallery complex for artist and creatives
- Middlesbrough Art Week winning best event or exhibition at the 2024 North East Culture Awards
- The upcoming opening of Teesside University’s Digital Life building
- The awarding of over £4m in National Lottery Heritage Fund backing for the redevelopment of the old Town Hall in St Hilda’s.
The significant cultural regeneration lays the foundation for Middlesbrough to attract a series of national projects, with ambitions for MIMA to host New Contemporaries and other major events over the next five years. Revenue funding aligned with the capital projects through CDF is also helping to activate this cultural infrastructure and support the wider community. The Auxiliary’s Artistic Director Liam Slevin said:
“The groundswell of cultural activity happening in Middlesbrough is incredible. I’ve been involved in galleries in Berlin, Detroit and Cork and Middlesbrough is punching way above its weight. It’s incredible.
We’re currently supporting 30 artists with studios and opportunities; we’re seeing people move here because of the opportunities on offer. This type of investment is what supports and retains graduates and young people in making a home here.”
Middlesbrough was born as the first railway town in the world in 1830, following the expansion of the first modern passenger railway to the port. Rapid industrialisation saw the population grow from around 24 people to over 90,000 in the first 100 years. Almost 200 years later, Middlesbrough is a university town rich in culture, entrepreneurialism and innovation. The bicentenary will celebrate the cultural diversity, creative spirit and community connections central to the future of the town.
Professor Paul Croney, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive at Teesside University said of the CDF funding:
“This significant investment is excellent news and will have a considerable impact, not just for MIMA, but for the cultural landscape of the region.
“Coupled with major capital investment committed to the School of Arts and Creative Industries, this project will further enhance the learning environment for the next generation of arts professionals. The planned development will firmly establish MIMA as a vibrant hub for community engagement and a cultural beacon and key visitor attraction for the region.
“Collaboration is at the heart of Teesside University’s approach and this partnership bid exemplifies what can be achieved when working together to deliver civic transformation.”
Calls for partners and participation will follow as the project further develops towards 2030.
