GATESHEAD.- Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead officially launched its new Endowment Fund campaign on Thursday 30 October with a special, intimate performance at the gallery from North East musician Sting.

The 17-time Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter, who kickstarted the gallery’s new £10 Million Endowment Fund campaign with a major donation in June this year, performed a live set along with his longtime guitarist Dominic Miller at Baltic’s inaugural Endowment Fundraising Gala. Attended by North East notables including Jim Moir (Vic Reeves), Alan Shearer and Jimmy Nail, the event also attracted regional business leaders, representatives from national charities, as well as philanthropists and patrons of the arts.

Currently on his STING 3.0 World Tour, Sting’s exclusive Tyneside performance was preceded by a live Q&A. Fellow North East musician Nadine Shah also performed at the event.

Auctioneers Anderson & Garland led a live auction where invited guests were able to bid on unique experiences and artworks donated by internationally renowned artists Damien Hirst, Anish Kapoor and Cornelia Parker. One of the most popular lots on the night was a week’s stay at Villa Il Palagio, the private Tuscan home of Sting and Trudie Styler. To maximise the funds raised on the evening, Anderson & Garland, The Saleroom, and Bidpath, all waived their commission.

Sting said: “When I was a kid my Dad used to bring me down to the quayside on a Sunday morning and I’d look at this building and wonder what it was. Never did I imagine it would become an amazing art gallery, or that I would have the opportunity to support it.

“We are a nation of storytellers; the world loves our songs, our plays, our dramas, our art. If we lose cultural venues due to a lack of funding, the entire industry disappears, so I’m here to say we have to protect Baltic.

“I get a warm glow every time I come back here. It feels like home. It feels like I belong. That’s rooted in a feeling of profound gratitude for the community that made who I am.”

Guests at the Gala were treated to a Michelin-accredited dining experience by SIX Rooftop, the renowned sixth-floor restaurant at the very top of the Baltic. Known for its refined modern British cuisine and breathtaking views across the River Tyne, SIX created a bespoke menu celebrating the finest seasonal and locally sourced ingredients.

Sarah Munro, Director of Baltic, said: “It’s been 23 years since Baltic first opened its doors to the public and in that time we’ve experienced a lot of change. We, along with lots of other regional museums and galleries, are seeking alternative models of support to sustain our programmes, infrastructure, and the valuable work we do in the community. Establishing an Endowment Fund to secure the long-term future of Baltic has been an ambition for some time, and to see the amount of support in the room was overwhelming.

“The Gala was the first step in our campaign to create a £10 million Endowment Fund for Baltic that will allow us to continue platforming artists, connecting communities and inspiring children and young people across our region and beyond. The evening was a poignant reminder to everyone in the room of the power of arts, culture and creativity.”

Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art is the Most Visited Free Cultural Venue in the North East (VisitBritain) and in April this year the venue welcomed its ten millionth visitors. Annually, Baltic also engages 183,000 children and young people through activities and programmes that enhance their confidence, skills, and wellbeing.

The Endowment will safeguard many aspects of Baltic’s work, including the gallery’s commitment to free entry; its ongoing support for children and young people; its leadership in UK and International art; the protection of its iconic heritage building; and the venue’s work connecting communities and delivering creative wellbeing through the arts.

The annual investment income from the Fund will combat the ongoing challenge of rising costs that threaten free entry in the region, where a third of children grow up in poverty. 29% of Baltic’s visitors are aged below 24, and 41% are family groups. At a time when arts education has been reduced in schools, Baltic provides a powerful alternative with high quality accessible programmes. The Endowment Fund will ensure Baltic can continue to inspire the next generation of artists by empowering children and young people to experience and create art.

It will also ensure Baltic’s work supporting communities in Gateshead and across the North East continues. The venue’s Front Room is a unique community space overlooking the River Tyne that welcomes 45,000 visitors annually. Addressing food insecurity with a free Breakfast Club, as well as providing packed lunch space, free Wi-Fi and free hot drinks, Baltic’s Front Room has a varied and inclusive social programme that includes Book Clubs and Sewing Bees.

Baltic is also the first ever Gallery of Sanctuary in England, where people from all backgrounds can connect, promoting unity and solidarity. The Endowment will ensure the gallery can encourage creative wellbeing and enhanced support for local communities.

Baltic’s Endowment Fund Gala was supported by a number of regional partners who donated to the evening. They included Six Rooftop at Baltic (Gala Menu Canapés & Dinner Partner); Fenwick (Sparkling Wine Reception Partner); Anderson & Garland (Auctioneer Partner); Big Purple Productions (Projection & Room Dressing Partner); Bibendum Wine (Wine Pairing Partner for Gala Dinner); and Dakota Hotel Newcastle (Luxury Boutique Hotel Partner).

Julian Thomson, Managing Director of Anderson & Garland, said: “Baltic is a true jewel in the cultural crown of the North East art scene. Supporting its Endowment Fund aligns perfectly with our values of preserving and celebrating art in all its forms. We’re honoured to contribute our services to help ensure its continued impact on the region and beyond.”