According to Ian Read, his job title is: “Quite long and unusual – Creative and Cultural Zone Programme Manager. At least when I used to say I was a teacher, people knew what I did straight away.” So what does his job involve and how did it come about? We caught up with him to find out.
The creation of the North Shields Cultural Quarter (NSCQ) coincided with regeneration plans for the town, especially around the Howard Street area. The North Tyne Combined Authority started creating distinct creative and cultural zones to foster arts activities in different places: “There was the area of Berwick inside the town walls, and the area around Pink Lane Newcastle. I think places were chosen that already had something happening, such as New Writing North and the Grainger Market. North Shields was ripe for it.”
Ian lived in North Shields when he was a science teacher 20 years ago: “I applied to study law, but then quickly changed to zoology as that seemed much more exciting.” One day, accompanying his art teacher colleague to an event at the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, he was struck by the job title ‘Head of Learning’ and realised it was possible to work in education roles within culture. He gained a position at the Hancock Museum, now called the Great North Museum, and completed an MA in Museum and Gallery Studies at Newcastle University.
Ian went on to work in several participation and learning roles around the country including Scarborough, the Lake District and Hull: “I think I’ve worked or lived in every single county in the North!” Ian’s experience with Hull’s bid for the title of ’City of Culture’ proved very useful when North Shields decided to apply for ’Town of Culture’ not long after he had taken up his role with the council. “I moved back to North Shields to live near my family. I was still commuting to my job as CEO of Rural Arts in Thirsk when I saw the job with the Cultural Quarter. It made perfect sense for me to apply.” The North Shields 800th anniversary celebrations were well underway and Ian was excited by the potential for building on the town’s cultural appetite: “The Elevation Wall Murals Festival was particularly exciting – it really engaged the public.”
Ian has grand plans to build on the success of NS800 with five main programmes to involve the community in various cultural projects. The position for the Cultural Quarter’s ‘Writer in Residence’ was created earlier this year, open to artists working primarily in writing to work with the communities, businesses and organisations around the riverside area: “This could be in any medium – music, art, projection, as long as it involves writing.”
‘Open Quay’ weekend will be held on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th September, when the public will be able to visit artists’ open studios, galleries, museums and creative spaces including One Three One, Sum Place and Hastie Studios. “We have such talented artists like Helen Paling and Lily Senner taking part”, Ian enthuses.
Over winter a spectacular performance on the river is promised and in early 2027 the ‘Lowe!’ festival will bring eight temporary art installations across North Shields. ‘Lowe’ is an old Northern English word which refers to the flickering of a flame or the glow from a fire: “The idea is to shed new light on the town and celebrate saying goodbye to the winter. It will build on the joy of the NS800 events but create more of a story at the same time. It’s going to be magical!”
Ian wants to improve representation and open more doors, including for LGBTQ and disabled artists. “‘I Love North Shields has played a great part in creating a buzz surrounding the town’s cultural activities, and that is recognised by the council. But the same thing can’t necessarily be replicated in other areas. Culture is hyperlocal. It comes from the people. We need to build a cultural partnership. I feel like a conduit between the people who live here and the people who organise things. One thing is for sure, what we have here in North Shields is unique and I can’t wait to see what the future brings.”
For further information, contact Ian Read, Creative and Cultural Zone Programme Manager, at: NSculturalquarter@northtyneside.gov.uk
