大象传媒

In the last decade the north of England has discovered a new public face. A boom in new landmark cultural public buildings, many built with Lottery funding, has created a distinctive, contemporary image for the region's towns and cities.

Martin Goodman, professor of creative writing at Hull University presents this two part journey in search of the 'New North'. He visits the iconic new public buildings and asks how they reflect the changing region, how it differs from the traditional industrialised imagery of the north, and considers the economic challenges these new buildings face in today's austere times.

He starts at The Sage in Gateshead and then moves on to MIMA, Middlesbrough's modern art gallery, before going to Hull to visit The Deep aquarium. He speaks to its architect, Sir Terry Farrell, about that building as well as his work in the North East. He also asks author David Almond what these new buildings mean for the culture of Gateshead and Newcastle.

So, is there a 'New North' emerging - and if there is, how does it differ from what has gone before? And can these new institutions survive in economically testing times.

In part two, Martin will visit the striking new Hepworth Gallery in Wakefield and speak to the architect David Chipperfield about its design. He'll talk to the writer Alan Garner about the historic qualities of the North and find out about regeneration in Manchester and Salford, visiting the new Museum of Liverpool and meeting TV writer Phil Redmond. And he'll hear how the economic squeeze can leave some of those who run new developments feeling like 'paupers in palaces'.

Producer: Philip Reevell
A City Broadcasting production for 大象传媒 Radio 4.