Which UK city is the most creative? Newcastle?

“After going round and round in circles thinking about the usual things people list about why their home city is best I found myself talking to one of our newest additions, Tom, about what he thought of the City. As we talked more it became apparent that as an outsider to the city Tom’s views were more important than mine,” says Simon Douglas, managing director of Blue River.

This is what Tom had to say...“Before my move to Newcastle, my knowledge of the city was quite limited but based upon what I had heard, I expected to be greeted by a friendly, welcoming atmosphere and if nothing else to have a great social experience. Little did I know that not only was I to be greeted with a smile and a welcoming pint, I was also to experience a wealth of unexpected art and culture.

“Maybe it was because I had only visited the larger cities of London, Oxford and Birmingham or that my cultural awareness of the North East was a little lacking, either way, when I first arrived in Newcastle I was totally oblivious to its significant arts and cultural connections and the immense history contained in the city.

“It wasn’t until I started to explore the varied streets that I understood the important role arts and culture clearly has in the city. I have quickly come to realise the vast range and diversity of events and activities available. Art has a dominant place here and although I haven’t managed to get round them all yet, there are 20 large museums, galleries and theatres in the city alone, with many more just outside the city’s boundaries, making the area a powerful learning and development resource.

“It is apparent that the city offers a massive contribution to the creative economy through a variety of events and venues that are designed specifically to inspire, stimulate economic growth and offer employment opportunities. However, what I have found most inspiring and endearing about Newcastle is that it offers these events without prejudice or elitism and promotes an inclusive and accessible approach to integrate arts and culture into the life of the city and those who live here.

“The city has a diverse yet harmonious population and manages to offer something to meet everyone’s needs and tastes from the historic architecture lining the city’s curving streets, to a variety of spectacular bridges crossing the Tyne, to the famous energetic nightlife. Personally I am rather fond of the quayside as it gives you a sense of how the city has evolved over the years with tall historic buildings meeting the more contemporary river view apartments.

“The great thing about Newcastle is that you can view it all on foot as its sites and venues are close by and its streets flow together well, where some other cities I have visited have seemed disjointed. I walk through the city on my journey to work each day and it’s difficult to miss the strong drive to encourage people to ‘get involved’, without any requirement to possess a pre-determined level of knowledge before you can participate. This is something I have sometimes felt in other places but with Newcastle there are no barriers to entry and everyone is welcome whatever their level of knowledge.

“Despite only being here for a couple of months, I have seen a huge range of exhibitions at the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, and have been surprised to hear that, testament to the on-going development in Newcastle, there will be forthcoming shows by Damien Hirst and photographer Martin Parr. Adding to the city’s ‘inclusive’ outlook, there is a definite focus not only on servicing the city itself but on also reaching out further and attracting visitors on a national / international scale.

“From my brief experience of Newcastle, I think what makes the city a successful creative hub is that it encompasses so many inspirational sites and opportunities to learn from and get involved with arts and culture.

“It is a relaxed creative hub that welcomes innovation and not only offers a place where creative industries can network but it also offers an environment that stimulates and encourages its businesses and all who pass through it to grow through creativity. One thing is for sure, I am thankful to the city and its people for making me feel welcome, inspired and never bored!”

(Tom joined Blue River in May 09 as a designer moving up from Oxfordshire.)

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