Overview

• Sting has made an undisclosed but “generous” donation to launch the gallery’s £10 million endowment fund aimed at maintaining free admission.
• The singer criticised successive administrations for wilfully neglecting the North East and said his gift pays back his cultural roots.
• Baltic Centre engages around 183,000 children and young people each year through workshops and exhibitions that boost confidence, skills and wellbeing.
• Sting is slated to perform at Baltic’s fundraising gala on October 30, which will include a live Q&A and an auction of works by artists such as Damien Hirst.
• The UK government has confirmed a £140 million investment in the seven most deprived North East towns, including Washington and Jarrow.