Spectrum Project takes off

Liz Bassnett of Push Creative and Andy Barker of Results Network have been working together to raise the profile of the creative sector in a new initiative in the Borough. South Tyneside Council and TEDCO approached the companies to assist them in their drive to support creative industries in the Borough.

The Spectrum Project aims to build a creative hub in South Tyneside – a group run by people in the creative sector to lobby on behalf of everyone involved.

The idea is to form a team that can work together to build and support the sector in and outside of the Borough. Generating ideas together, creating a best practice culture, bid for funding, work in clusters. It is up to them!

The immediate aim is to establish a creative hub to foster the development of a cluster of creative businesses and creative activity with a view to developing into an independent group. Long term this could even evolve into the development of a physical work place combining offices with studio and art-space.

The pair joined together to promote a campaign called ‘Spectrum Calling’ which had an ‘underground’ look and feel applied to leaflets and an initial website - within a week they had already drummed up massive support for a meeting for the creatives in the Borough to come together and talk about the future possibilities of the group.

From film directors to choreographers - illustrators and writers, over 50 creatives pledged their support on the website and many attended an event at The Customs House.