Newcastle has always been a strong independent centre for creative innovation and is seeing specific growth in key industries including TV & film, music development and creative writing.
Newcastle is a leading creative city and home to a vibrant ecosystem of recognised brands, independents and freelancers across a diverse range of disciplines.
One of the UK’s oldest libraries, the Lit and Phil, has been inspiring literary enthusiasts since 1793 and is now the largest independent library in the UK outside of London. Today, Newcastle is welcoming the next generation of creative writers and international publishers such as HarperCollins and Penguin Random House.
Newcastle also has a longstanding reputation for excellence in video games development owing to the presence of global studios such as Ubisoft, Sumo Digital and Creative Assembly.
North East England is also recognised as a High Potential Opportunity (HPO) for immersive technology, with digital production facility PROTO in Gateshead enabling local companies to push the boundaries of virtual and augmented reality.
Talent and skills are being propelled by three award-winning development agencies in North East Screen, New Writing North and Generator. Each of these organisations run a number of programmes to uncover the next generation of musicians, writers, producers and artists.
The recent regional investment in North East Screen, coupled with partnerships with BBC and Channel 4, has also brought renewed focus on our TV, film and screen sector with a raft of new commissions, inward investment and location filming.
Newcastle’s reputation as a creative hub was cemented when Creative Cities Convention was held in the city for the first time, bringing together the leading commissioners and production companies from across the industry.
Generator has secured investment from Universal to bring the EMI North record label to Newcastle.
BBC has committed to investing a minimum of £25m in commissioning spend and is developing its Tech Hub in Newcastle to build digital solutions for the iPlayer and BBC Sounds platforms.
North East England has been identified by Department for Business and Trade as a High Potential Opportunity for Immersive Technology.
A new 12,500 capacity arena and international conference centre is under construction on Gateshead Quayside to bring more major business and cultural events to Newcastle.
Sub Sectors
Take a look at the creative industries clusters driving growth in Newcastle.
TV and Film
Newcastle is becoming a hub for TV and film, with regional agency North East Screen working to attract more productions to the city and the BBC committing £25m to commissioning spend and its tech hub.
Gaming
Newcastle is one of the most historic gaming clusters in the UK owing to the presence of Triple-A studios like Ubisoft Reflections and Creative Assembly alongside around 50 specialist companies across the wider region.
Music Production
Newcastle has a long history of nurturing musical talent from Sting to Sam Fender and the city is primed to become a hub for music production through the establishment of EMI North.
Creative Writing
Newcastle is home to the writing development agency for the North of England and has attracted investment from major publishers including Hachette UK, Harper Collins, Penguin Random House and Faber & Faber.
Who's here
Infrastructure
Explore the assets local companies are using to power innovation.
North East Screen
North East Screen is the screen industries development agency for the region, supporting emerging professionals, local filmmakers, and production companies and making the area a more appealing production base for inward investment.
New Writing North
New Writing North is the key organisation for developing literature and writers in North East England, providing support and opportunities for emerging authors, hosting events, and promoting the region's vibrant literary scene.
Generator
Generator is the music development agency working to create, develop and maintain a more sustainable music industry, providing access for all and forging robust pathways into the UK market. Founded…
PROTO
PROTO is a state-of-the-art digital production facility helping companies to create more immersive experiences using 3D scanning, optical motion capture and a virtual LED stage. PROTO, Abbott's Hill, Baltic Business Quarter, Gateshead NE8 3DF
Newcastle University
Newcastle University is a Russell Group university with a global reputation for academic excellence and groundbreaking advancements in fields ranging from healthcare and ageing to data and sustainable development.
Northumbria University
Northumbria University is a former Times Higher Education University of the Year that continues to raise the bar on research and innovation in fields such as biotechnology, aerospace, energy systems and creative industries.
Key Partners
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