Nestled here on the south bank of the River Tyne, the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art has become a symbol of innovation and creativity in the heart of Gateshead.
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00:00Nestled here on the south bank of the River Tang, the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art has become a symbol of innovation and creativity in the heart of Gateshead.
00:08With its distinctive industrial heritage and cut and edge exhibitions, the Baltic not only contributes to the region's thriving art scene, but also plays a vital role in celebrating the area's rich history.
00:19The Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art is housed in a former flour mill originally built in 1950.
00:25The building's history is steeped in the industrial heritage of the North East, where it once served as a key part of the area's bustling maritime trade.
00:33The mill itself was one of the last working flour mills on the River Tang before its closure in the early 1980s.
00:39In 1991, the mill was earmarked for redevelopment and transformed into an art space.
00:44After a significant renovation project, the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art opened its doors in 2002.
00:51The repurposing of this industrial space was a significant milestone in the regeneration of Gateshead, transforming the historic structure into one of the UK's leading galleries for contemporary art.
01:02The building's large open-plan galleries, soaring ceilings and industrial aesthetic provide a perfect backdrop for the bold and innovative works that are showcased within its walls.
01:13The Baltic is not only a centre for contemporary art, but a proud symbol of the region's ability to blend past and present, preserving its industrial legacy while embracing modern cultural developments.
01:25The Baltic hosts so many exhibitions throughout the year, many of which are family-friendly.
01:30For example, they currently have an exhibition called Play Interact Explore, which features interactive sculptures, which is great fun for kids.
01:37They also have a free entry sensory room and reference library, with drop-in sessions running from 10am until 6pm on Wednesdays.
01:44They have fantastic art exhibitions on. Currently, they have a showcase of artwork made in criminal justice settings based here in the North East.
01:51It features 70 pieces of work from the region, which reflect women's viewpoints of looking outwards and towards freedom and home.
01:59They also have an exhibition on local artist Manny Campbell's work called Axis Mundi, which explores her inner spirit by drawing on her own personal totemic symbols.
02:10But if exploring art exhibitions is not really your thing, the Baltic have so much more to offer.
02:15They have Board Game Saturdays, where you can take along your favourite board games or borrow their own and have friendly competitions.
02:21They have honeybee talks hosted on their rooftop beside their own resident honeybees.
02:27They also offer a quayside tour starting from the 3rd of April, where you'll discover facts about the historical buildings around the quayside, while taking in the beautiful views.
02:37But what makes the Baltic fantastic for those looking to plan days out that are budget friendly is their front room.
02:42While it's been closed due to essential maintenance being carried out, it should be opening very, very soon.
02:50You can bring your own packed lunches after a walk down the quayside and just take in the views.
02:54With no pressure to move on after a certain time.