2025 Tees Valley artists of the year revealed

A “groundbreaking” initiative is backing emerging artists with funding and mentoring to help grow the region’s cultural economy.

Delivered by the Tees Valley mayor and Combined Authority, five creative talents have been named 2025 Tees Valley Artists of the Year, securing a share of £28,000 alongside professional support.

This year’s winners are DJ and electronic musician Boo; theatre-maker and performer Umar Butt; singer-songwriter Finn Forster; multidisciplinary artist Will Hughes; and embroidery designer Beth Wilson.

Each will receive a real living wage bursary, tailored development support and industry mentoring as part of the award, which aims to elevate careers and enrich Tees Valley’s creative identity.

Alison Gwynn, creative economy lead for the Tees Valley business board and North East Screen chief executive, said: “As well as a privilege, working on this programme has been insightful and a hugely difficult and overwhelming task – even more difficult this year as the quality is just as high, but the field wider with the added category of craft and design.  

“It is a big responsibility, when you know what a life-changing difference this investment and support makes.”

Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen added: “I’m delighted to see another five worthy talents being supported to follow their ambitions, after we proved the success of this innovative project with last year’s fantastic cohort.

“We’re making huge progress with major infrastructure projects, securing billions of pounds of inward investment and transforming the region – but we’re also recognising the importance of our growing creative and cultural industries at the heart of our economy in groundbreaking programmes like this.

“I’ve no doubt these artists will go from strength to strength with this support and play a leading role in shaping the future of their sector, getting more eyes on the region, all while making Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool a better and more interesting place to live and create.”

The scheme, backed by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, forms part of a wider £20.5 million investment into the region’s creative and visitor sectors.

The 2025 cohort follows last year’s inaugural winners, including singer-songwriter Amelia Coburn and visual artist Claire A Baker.

Councillor Brenda Harrison, combined authority portfolio lead on the creative and cultural sector and Hartlepool Borough council leader, added: “There is not a programme like this in the country that backs artists with such a significant investment and wraparound support and training. 

“The assessment panels were blown away by the quality and diversity of the applicants and were really encouraged by the fact that we have such creative excellence in the region.  

“The programme and all these artists will play their part in strengthening the cultural landscape and creative economy in the Tees Valley.” 

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