Have we woken up to our greatest superpower? Our CEO Fraser Anderson reflects on opportunities and optimism when you invest in culture.

In times of economic and social anxiety, reasons for optimism can seem as far out of reach as a spring day without rain. But there are reasons for credible optimism. And one of them is culture.

The UK’s assets are legion. Sam Fender, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, and Akram Khan. The BBC Proms, Glastonbury and Edinburgh Festivals. Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Wales Millennium Centre and the National Theatre.

We know heritage and culture are the number one reason that international visitors choose to visit the UK. We also know that from music alone, UK exports generate £5bn for our economy.

The North East of England has heritage and culture running through its deepest roots.

At the turn of the century, a new era of investment reshaped the North East. Landmarks like The Angel of the North, BALTIC, and The Glasshouse International Centre for Music were built, and soon became icons for a region looking forward.

A generation have now grown up with these cultural icons as part of their lives.

At The Glasshouse alone, benefits over the last 20 years have included more music lessons delivered than the population of Newcastle, Leeds, and Sheffield combined, an economic impact of £1bn, and a crop of artists who first appeared on our stages as schoolkids who are now gracing arenas and concert halls worldwide.

Culture is not decoration, it is energy.

These achievements should be credited to our region’s civic leaders at the end of the last century, and the individuals who worked alongside them. Their optimism and energy helped create a new kind of economy and opened new possibilities for the next generation to build creative lives and careers. At that moment, potential for a different future for the North East opened up.

This week, the region has again signalled its belief in what culture and creativity can do.

The Newcastle Gateshead Quayside already has a family of assets many cities would envy. Bridges that invite marvel. Cultural buildings which are both iconic and welcoming. Artist-led districts like Ouseburn, bringing places to life.

Big investment projects in today’s climate are hard to secure, particularly outside of our largest cities.

It’s exciting to see life being breathed into buildings like Gateshead Old Town Hall, and the emphasis on community life, outdoor enjoyment – the things we do together. The culture we create.

There is still a road to go, but The Glasshouse can see a cultural Quayside moving towards its next stage of life. This would bring jobs, opportunity, investment and joy. If we’re seeking reasons for optimism, this could be one. Getting it right will not be easy, but our track record is strong. 21 years on, The Glasshouse alone generates £11 for every £1 of public investment. That’s the sort of multiplier worth backing.

The North East has the people and the heritage to make an outsized contribution to culture, a UK superpower.

The opportunity now is to create the conditions for that potential to flourish again.