Impact

Every year we track and monitor our collective economic impact.  NewcastleGateshead Cultural Venues (NGCV) commissioned its fourth annual Economic Impact Assessment from independent consultants, ERS for the year 2011-12. This demonstrates the collective impact of the 10 organisations (representing 22 venues in total) on NewcastleGateshead's and North East England's economy. 

We share information about our impact to demonstrate the value of the cultural sector to the region's economy and people.

1) Economic Impact

• NGCV’s total economic contribution to the North East was £77.6m, supporting 2003 full time equivalent (FTE) jobs, 1233 of which are people directly employed by the organisations.
• For every 10 direct FTE jobs created by NGCV, 2 additional FTE jobs were created in the region.
• For every £1 of public money invested in NGCV, there was a return on investment of £4.06.
• There were 3.6m attendances at cultural events run by the 10 NGCV organisations. 
• £15.3m additional visitor spend was generated in NewcastleGateshead and £8.3m across the North East
• NGCV supported 912,045 learning and participation engagements, including 613,645 children and 298,400 adults. 
• NGCV supported 2000 artists, cultural professionals and educators through our talent development and business support programmes.
• 854 volunteers gave over 31,751 hours of their time in front of house and back office roles with NGCV.
• 91,774 conference attenders from outside NewcastleGateshead, generated  £4.5m additional spend in the local economy or 117 FTE jobs.
• The group had a combined turnover of £53.6m, earned £26m from cultural and ancillary activities and procured 60% of their goods and services, £19.8m, from North East suppliers
• The 10 organisations raised £5.9m in project funding for additional cultural activities, beyond core programmes.

We have also developed an NGCV Capital Investment Strategy to maximise the economic potential of the cultural sector and the wider North East, through a co-ordinated programme of job and wealth creating capital investments and by providing further enterprise and skills support opportunities.  Further details are available under the  Capital Assets workstrand.

2) Social Impact

We have started collating figures around the social impact of our work, to demonstrate how far reaching into communities our impact is:

• We supported 912,045 learning and participation engagements (613,645 children and 298,400 adults) in 2011-12.   
• We worked with 1026 schools and in addition,
• 453,209 over 60s and 219,861 people with disabilities were involved in participation activities.
• The 10 organisations also raised £5.9m in additional project funding for cultural activities beyond core programmes, including outreach, learning and participation and special projects.

These programmes and projects aim to maximise the social impact of the area’s cultural assets for the benefit of hard to reach, vulnerable and marginalised individuals, groups and communities. 

These can include young people who are not in education, employment or training, those in care or care leavers, ex-offenders, people with mental health problems, older people who may have significant health or mental health issues, as well as being at risk of isolation, people with disabilities, carers, people with drug or alcohol problems and a wide range of others who are all engaged proactively through arts, culture, science and heritage activities, directly and through partnership working.

The impact of their engagement can be life-changing and long-term, building confidence and aspirations and inspiring people to make positive changes in their lives.  It can bring enjoyment and enthusiasm and improve people’s quality of life in a very significant way.  Some of the feedback from people who have been involved with our activities over the last year is provided overleaf as examples of this deep and meaningful impact.

In addition, we provide work experience, apprenticeships and volunteering opportunities for people of all ages, who may not otherwise have the opportunities to gain skills, knowledge and experience and who get so much benefit from their involvement, just as we benefit from our engagement with them. 

Some participate as a way to progress to education, training or work, others engage as a way of giving back to the community and to share their passion for culture, for example in 2011-12, 854 volunteers gave over 31,751 hours of their time to be involved with NGCV activities.