Culture North East launches after cultural activity engaged over 1 million people in 2024
The cultural network for the North East of Scotland has entered a new chapter, officially relaunching as Culture North East, starting an exciting new phase to represent and champion the region’s creative community.
Formerly known as Culture Aberdeen, the network began in 2018 as a city-focused group of cultural organisations working together to strengthen the role of culture in civic life and to write a cultural strategy for the city. Over time, its vision grew alongside its reach — leading naturally to relaunch as Culture North East, a name that better reflects the diversity and ambition of the region.
Outgoing Co-Chair Hayley Durward said: It has been a privilege to support Culture Aberdeen through a period of growth and resilience. I have seen first-hand the impact of collaboration and the difference it makes when organisations come together with a shared purpose. This transition is not just a change of name, it is a chance to open new doors for partnerships and ensure culture remains at the heart of life in the North East.
Building on strong foundations
Since its inception, Culture Aberdeen has created a platform for collective action. From supporting creative organisations during the pandemic to leading campaigns to maintain support for culture, the network has secured recognition and investment and strengthened partnerships across the city. Collaborations with organisations including Look Again at Gray’s School of Art on economic recovery of the city centre by transforming vacant shop units into pop-up spaces for creatives and community groups; Aberdeen Performing Arts to deliver the city-wide Wonderland festival; Station House Media Unit on delivery of The North East Culture Collective, that provided an opportunity for organisations to explore and test new models of cultural engagement and participation, amongst many other partnerships that created spaces for experimentation, innovation, and growth.
Outgoing Co-Chair Ben Torrie said: When Culture Aberdeen was founded, the goal was to demonstrate how much stronger the sector could be when it acted together. Over the years, we’ve seen how shared action can deliver real change by raising the profile of culture, securing investment, and ensuring creativity is recognised as vital to civic life. As the organisation evolved into Culture North East, we have the opportunity to build a truly regional movement that reflects the breadth of cultural life beyond Aberdeen City.
Early data gathered by Culture North East shows cultural organisations in 2024 in Aberdeen engaged with over one million people, delivered over 3,500 events, and supported more than 2,700 artists and freelancers, figures that highlight culture’s central role in community wellbeing, economic growth, and regional identity.
Exchange Aberdeen: building regional connections
This year, Culture Aberdeen hosted Exchange Aberdeen, a one-day gathering at Robert Gordon University that brought together more than 100 participants from across the region. Representatives from local authorities, higher education, cultural organisations, independent creatives, community groups, and business agencies explored how culture and collaboration can contribute to a fairer, more connected North East.
The event highlighted opportunities around shared vision, economic growth, technology, and community-led action. The energy and insights from Exchange Aberdeen are helping to inform Culture North East’s next steps, ensuring that the transition is grounded in regional voices and priorities.
A regional identity
Becoming Culture North East recognises that cultural life extends well beyond city boundaries. Audiences, organisations and creative practitioners already move fluidly between Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, sharing resources, ideas, and creative energy. The new name reflects this interconnectedness and ensures the sector has a strong, unified voice.
Lindsay Dunbar, Strategic Consultant for Culture Aberdeen, said: The launch of Culture North East is rooted in months of consultation, evidence-gathering, and dialogue with organisations and communities across the region. What makes this moment so significant is that it allows us to think longer term about what culture can achieve in the region. By bringing together the full diversity of voices across the North East, Culture North East can ensure culture is recognised not only for its creative value but also for its impact on resilience, inclusion, and community wellbeing.
Looking ahead, one of Culture North East’s ambitions is to develop a regional cultural strategy for 2028–2038. Such a plan would set shared priorities for investment, skills development, and community engagement helping ensure the cultural sector is resilient, inclusive, and outward-looking.
Emyr Bell, Interim Chair of Culture North East and Creative Director of Banchory-based North East Arts Touring (NEAT), said: I want to thank everyone involved in making Culture Aberdeen a success. I’ve always admired what they have achieved, and now being part of the journey to help it evolve into Culture North East is exciting. The impact arts and creativity have, whether in the city or the countryside, is transformative. By welcoming new members, diverse voices, and innovative ideas, we can create a network that belongs to the entire region, opening up opportunities, encouraging collaborations, and showing that culture isn’t a luxury but a powerful force for good in shaping the North East’s future.
New leadership and acknowledgements
This new chapter also welcomes the appointment of a new Board of Directors: Stewart Aitken, Jane Ogamba Akadiri, Emyr Bell, Colin Farquhar, Matt Godfrey, Sally Thomson, and Katie Watson. Collectively they bring expertise across cultural leadership, business, community development, and creative practice, and will guide Culture North East into its next phase.
Culture North East also extends thanks to outgoing Co-Chairs Hayley Durward and Ben Torrie, and to outgoing Culture Aberdeen Executive Committee members — Stewart Aitken, Chris Collins, Murray Dawson, Colin Farquhar, Nuno Sacramento, and Sally Thomson— for their invaluable contributions in shaping the network to this point. The organisation also wishes to acknowledge former chair Dr Duncan Cockburn and all previous Executive Committee members.
Culture North East exists to support organisations and communities through strategy, advocacy, and shared opportunity. Rooted in the North East, it believes culture is key to shaping a more inclusive future for everyone. By aligning resources, building partnerships, and amplifying the voices our creative communities, the organisation will ensure that culture is recognised not only as a driver of creativity but also as a force for social cohesion, economic resilience, and regional pride.
The relaunch is also an invitation. Culture North East is now open to new members, welcoming organisations from across the region to join the network and contribute to a collective cultural voice. Organisations interested in becoming members can sign up and get in touch via the website.