Behind the Scenes at BALTIC 39

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BALTIC 39, a new cultural hub for contemporary art located on High Bridge in the heart of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, opened to the public on Friday 6 April 2012. This exciting venture is a collaboration between Newcastle City Council, Arts Council England, BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art and Northumbria University. Join Tony Durcan OBE, Director of Culture, Libraries and Lifelong Learning Adult and Culture Services Directorate on a tour of Newcastle's latest flagship cultural venue.

The conversion of the former Ward’s printing warehouse and Grade II listed building at 39 High Bridge Street is home to a vibrant community of practising artists. The building houses a new public gallery programmed by BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, 33 artists’ studios and a new home for fine art students from Northumbria University’s Department of Art and Social Sciences.

BALTIC 39 was created from an existing six story warehouse building built in 1905. The structure of the building was largely preserved, with the introduction of three modern interventions, although the building has been designed to retain its original industrial feel.