The Government has announced a £15m Northern Cultural Regeneration Fund to promote creative, tech and cultural industries in the region.
It forms part of its legacy brief for the forthcoming Great Exhibition of the North in Newcastle and Gateshead.
Towns and cities will be able to bid for a share of the cash, which can be used for projects such as tech start-up centres, or renovating live music venues.
“This £15 million fund is a fantastic chance for towns and cities to develop inspirational projects that could have a transformative local effect – particularly in communities that have seen less cultural or creative investment in the past,” explained Culture Secretary Karen Bradley.
“We want as many people as possible to benefit from the Great Exhibition of the North, and this fund will boost the Northern Powerhouse and help build a lasting legacy across the whole region.
Grants of up to £4m will be available for each project, which should “encourage sustainable cultural and creative regeneration” and benefit areas that have historically had “low levels of cultural and creative investment.
“The North is a cultural powerhouse, as well as an economic one, and this £15 million fund will give a boost to the region’s vibrant culture and tech sectors,” added Northern Powerhouse Minister Jake Berry.
“We’ve already invested over £3.4 billion for projects to boost local economies in the Northern Powerhouse and this latest funding will help make sure the Great Exhibition of the North creates a legacy for years to come.”
The first round of bids will be coordinated by Local Enterprise Partnerships across the North of England, with the successful projects announced in March next year.
A further round of bids may follow, if funding is still available.
