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Newcastle and Gateshead are jointly bidding to be the European Capital of Culture 2008.The partnership between Newcastle and Gateshead councils and the private sector is creating a new visitor destination, showcasing an array of cultural activity ? from sport and music to film and art ? and reinforcing the famous welcome that is unrivalled anywhere. Some £1 billion worth of development on both sides of the Tyne is currently underway, writes Nick Mouton.

The area has a track record of hosting successful big events and arts projects with the Angel of the North, Visual Arts UK, the Year of the Artist, the Gateshead Millennium Bridge, the National Garden Festival and the Tall Ships Race to its credit already. The city is the second home of the Royal Shakespeare Company and is a centre of world-class home-grown live theatre and music. All this in a setting that has 2000 years of history to its name. Today, there are many architectural and historical treasures to visit and the city centre boasts more Georgian buildings than anywhere in the UK other than Bath and is currently undergoing a major restoration programme.

The bid management team is led by the Newcastle Gateshead Initiative. We are a marketing agency made up of the two local councils and members of the private sector. We have undertaken the biggest ever cultural consultation programme in the North East with local people. It has highlighted a series of projects, proposals, ideas and views on all aspects of the prestigious title, ranging from river festivals to major exhibitions, community events to international sports tournaments ? and many more which are being kept under wraps in the light of fierce competition for the title!

We are drawing up a joint ten-year social, economic and cultural plan which will be complemented by the opening in March 2002 of the £46m BALTIC, the Centre for Contemporary Art, at Gateshead Quays. Also under construction is the £70m Music Centre Gateshead, designed by Foster and Partners, which will be a stunning new landmark building, bringing music of all kinds to all people and setting a new standard in music education and performance. It will be home to the Northern Sinfonia, and will house a 2,000 seat auditorium, public galleries, teaching facilities and DVD suites.

The UK would be represented in an area where there is an incredible sense of new energy, excitement and enthusiasm about culture in every form and where there is a real will to make every aspect of culture part of everyday life for everyone.

Nick Mouton is Corporate Affairs Executive of Newcastle Gateshead Initiative. t: 0191 243 8800; e: nick.mouton@ngi.org.uk; w: http://www.culture2008.com