Maria led the creative programme development and oversaw delivery of the exhibition and schools’ activity over an intensive 12-month period between appointment and full announcement, collaborating with partners at Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums, Sage Gateshead and BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art. The partners presented a wealth of Northern work including walking trail commissions and the celebratory opening event (see links below), Lauren Laverne’s Great Northern Soundtrack, the return of Stephenson’s Rocket to Newcastle, a one-off gathering of many great northern objects and artworks in an exhibition called Which Way North, and visual arts from Luciana Himid to Tim Etchells, and Jane and Louise Wilson to Michael Dean.
More than 10,000 contributors
Maria co-ordinated the creation of a programme from every county in the North of England with over 10,000 contributors including artists, scientists and innovators, focused on celebrating the difference the North makes to the world. She directed the opening event and curated and produced, with her team, major commissions in the public realm and three walking trail programmes celebrating Northern Art, Design and Innovation at 30 locations across the city.
The North’s strengths in advanced manufacturing, energy, health innovation, creative and digital provided a strong focus.
Reaching an audience of millions
A talent development programme called N18, with BBC R&D, enabled eighteen emerging Northern artists to develop their practice using digital technology, brilliantly supported by the team at Riverside Associates.
The exhibition reached an audience of millions and introduced artists to technologists, supported performing arts companies to develop projects to impact audiences across 80 days, and enabling a step change in networks, experience and exposure for many of those involved.
