New Writing North

New Writing North
Name	New Writing North
Formation	1996
Type	Literary development agency
Headquarters	Newcastle upon Tyne
Region	North East England

New Writing North

New Writing North is a regional literature development agency based in Newcastle upon Tyne, serving the North East of England, including Durham, Northumberland, Teesside, and Cumbria. It operates as an intermediary between institutions such as the Arts Council England, cultural venues like the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, literary festivals such as the Ilkley Literature Festival and the NewcastleGateshead initiative, and communities across urban and rural areas including Sunderland, Middlesbrough, and the Lake District. The organisation has worked with writers, schools, libraries, and funders linked to national programmes like the National Lottery and regional trusts including the Paul Hamlyn Foundation.

History

Founded in 1996, the organisation emerged amid a landscape shaped by national cultural policy debates involving Tony Blair's administration and bodies like the Arts Council England's precursors. Early projects intersected with initiatives led by institutions such as Tyne and Wear Archives & Museums and partnerships with universities including Newcastle University and Durham University. During the 2000s it expanded activity alongside festivals such as the Durham Book Festival and the Ilkley Literature Festival, working with poets and novelists linked to movements associated with figures like Seamus Heaney, Benjamin Zephaniah, and contemporaries who toured the region. In later years the organisation navigated shifts in public funding under successive governments and collaborated with organisations such as the National Literacy Trust, Creative Scotland, and the British Council on cross-border projects. Its trajectory has intersected with major cultural moments including anniversaries of the Industrial Revolution landmarks in the North East and commemorations tied to the World War I centenary.

Mission and Activities

The organisation's mission focuses on developing writers, widening reading, and increasing participation in literary culture across communities including libraries, schools, prisons, and healthcare settings like NHS England trusts. It has delivered activity aimed at emerging poets, novelists, and non-fiction writers who may go on to interact with publishers such as Faber and Faber, Penguin Books, and Bloomsbury publishing. Programmes connect creators with venues like the Sage Gateshead, broadcasters such as the BBC, and education partners including Ofsted-registered schools and higher education departments at University of Leeds and University of York. It engages with national awards frameworks such as the Booker Prize and regional schemes linked to municipal cultural strategies run by authorities such as Newcastle City Council.

Programs and Projects

Projects have ranged from place-based commissions and mentoring schemes to community reading campaigns linked to institutions like the National Trust and Historic England. Notable programmes include mentorships resembling national schemes run by the Royal Society of Literature and talent development models similar to those in the Arts Council England literature portfolio. Collaborative projects have involved the British Library, archives like Tyne and Wear Archives & Museums, and theatre partners including Live Theatre and Northern Stage. Cross-disciplinary work has connected writers with visual artists from the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, composers associated with BBC Radio 3, and filmmakers tied to the British Film Institute.

Publications and Awards

The organisation has produced anthologies, pamphlets, and commissioned pamphlets in collaboration with small presses such as Bloodaxe Books, Carcanet Press, and independent imprints associated with the Literature Wales network. It has administered and supported regional prizes and bursaries comparable to national awards like the Eric Gregory Award and has helped writers progress to recognition at venues that include the Cheltenham Literature Festival and the Hay Festival. Publications have circulated through partners including the British Library's reading rooms and regional library services in Northumberland and County Durham.

Governance and Funding

Governance is structured through a board of trustees and executive staff who liaise with funders including Arts Council England, the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, and municipal arts budgets from councils such as Gateshead Council. The organisation has secured funding streams from national bodies like the National Lottery Heritage Fund and partnered with philanthropic entities such as the Jerwood Charitable Foundation. Financial oversight involves reporting to charity regulators and compliance frameworks similar to those used by organisations such as Charity Commission for England and Wales.

Partnerships and Community Engagement

Partnerships span cultural institutions including the British Library, regional festivals like the Durham Book Festival, venues such as Sage Gateshead, and educational bodies at Newcastle University and local further education colleges. Community engagement has targeted underserved groups in areas including Hartlepool and rural communities in Northumberland National Park, delivered workshops in prisons comparable to programmes run by Prisoners' Education Trust, and collaborated with health partners such as NHS England trusts to support wellbeing through writing. International links have included exchanges with organisations like the British Council and cultural partners across Scotland and Ireland.

Category:Literary organisations based in the United Kingdom