Bid to make Middlesbrough UK's most creative town

An arts collective is fundraising to make its town "the most creative in the UK".

Middlesbrough Cultural Partnership is aiming to raise £20,000 to fund a programme of events, festivals and public art.

If successful it would also be used to open more creative spaces in the town.

Gaye Kirby, from Middlesbrough Council, said the campaign was an opportunity to realise Middlesbrough's potential as a place "where arts and culture is accessible, affordable and benefits everyone".

The cultural partnership is attempting to raise an initial £10,000 as each pound raised will be matched by the BigGive website.

Anything raised on the website by 26 March will be doubled through its Arts for Impact campaign.

Arts charity Tees Valley Arts is working with the partnership on the campaign.

James Beighton, from Tees Valley Arts, said: "Middlesbrough is not just a town; it's a vibrant hub of creativity and innovation.

"Every online donation, no matter how big or small, brings us closer to our target and allows us to continue the important work we are deeply passionate about."

Middlesbrough Council is a founding member of the partnership but said it was unable to fund additional arts events. The council organises events such as Middlesbrough Art Weekender and Middlesbrough Mela.

A spokesperson for Middlesbrough Council said: "The council’s financial position has been well publicised.

"Any extra funding raised through the Big Give initiative would fund extra provision, and decisions on where it will be spent will be made by the cultural partnership."

Cash-strapped Middlesbrough Council recently agreed to accept exceptional financial support from the government, which allows it to borrow £13.4m.

If it had not accepted the support it would have been forced to issue a section 114 notice, effectively meaning it had gone bankrupt.

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