Following its launch event on Tuesday, 16th January, a collective has vowed to support and develop the creative industries in the North.
Common x Collective, the brainchild of Director, Andrea Freeman, will unite entrepreneurs from creative, digital and design backgrounds across the Tees Valley and wider North East to accelerate the sector.
Andrea said: “As a champion for the creative and digital industries, I feel it’s time to take the conversation from the shadows between sectors and industry, policy and education to a more inclusive and progressive holistic approach.
“Common x Collective was created to form a dynamic and super-connected network of like minds, enabling guidance and mentorship.”
The movement will connect creatives from a range of industries such as architecture, tech and fashion across the region, through an annual programme of events, collaborations, workshops and symposiums, as well as quarterly bulletins.
Tees Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen, showed his support for the collective in advance of its launch event, which took place at Darlington’s Crown Street Library. He said: “Digital commerce is hugely important to the future of the area with creative businesses keeping the spirit of forward-thinking entrepreneurial endeavour alive.
“As Tees Valley Mayor, I applaud Common x Collective for tapping into the same imaginative spark that helped make the Rocket a reality and the world a smaller place.
“I look forward to working alongside the Common x Collective to do all I can to promote the region as a powerhouse for creative and digital industry on the global stage.”
Based in Darlington, Common x Collective is open to everyone in the creative community from pre-start to freelancers, sole traders and rapid-growth businesses.
