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MIMA director Kate Brindley on the North East arts scene and rejuvenating Middlesborough

When asked what it was which led Kate Brindley to up sticks from Bristol to Middlesborough, her answer is unreserved and unequivocal: MIMA.

Middlesborough Institute of Modern Art (MIMA) is celebrating its fifth anniversary this year, and in that time has come to be recognized as one of the go-to venues in the region for modern art.

Visitor numbers are higher than they have ever been, but running somewhere like MIMA in a place like Middlesborough does not come without its challenges for venue director Kate and her team.

“We sit in an area of real social need, and as there are few other art venues close by, we are somewhat isolated,” explains Kate. “However, MIMA has such huge potential that it is an incredibly exciting place to work too.”

While MIMA provides a space for regional, national and international artists to showcase their work, it is also a collecting institution and over the years has amassed a large number of significant works.

“Through the support of Middlesborough’s regeneration department, we are now attracting increasing numbers of people to the Tees Valley.

“This is helping to improve the image many people have of Middleborough, as well as improving visitor spend within the local economy.”

Indeed, the fact that MIMA has been linked to the well-respected Turner Prize is indicative of the strong reputation it has begun to develop. The competition is this year being held at the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Arts in Gateshead, and now organizers plan to host it at other non-Tate venues. For Kate, this is an incredibly exciting prospect.

“Turner is one of the most well known artistic brands, and the fact that a venue in the North East was this year given the opportunity to host it is simply fantastic.

“ We have a great cooperative spirit in the region, and many people who have visited the Baltic have also come down to MIMA – which is really helping to raise awareness of what we are doing.

“It really does have a positive effect on the overall ecology of visual arts in the North East, as well as showing the masses that a North East venue is of the right caliber to showcase such a major exhibition.”

As well as bringing attention to MIMA on the national and international stage, Kate is also keen to encourage more individuals from the Tees Valley to engage with the venue.

“We constantly look at how we can develop relations with our local audience to ensure we remain an attractive place for them to visit.

“There is a wide range of groups we work with, from the artistic community and universities, to schoolchildren and families.

For Kate, this work is integral to the development of the local community and ultimately the future of the area.

“Middlesborough and the Tees Valley is in a period of economic renewal, and by harnessing the artistic mood we can help to positively contribute to the big aspirations many have for this area.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .