ArtsEd and Arts North Studios have announced a new strategic partnership designed to strengthen access to world-class performing arts training for young talent across the North East of England.
The partnership was formally confirmed with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Thursday 29 January at ArtsEd’s historic home in Chiswick. The agreement establishes new progression routes for aspiring performers, helping to bridge the gap between regional training and elite vocational pathways.
At the heart of the collaboration is a shared commitment to widening access, fostering inclusivity, and ensuring that exceptional talent can thrive regardless of geographical or socio-economic background. By combining ArtsEd’s century-long legacy of excellence with Arts North Studios’ deep roots in the Sunderland creative community, the partnership aims to reshape how high-level performing arts training is accessed beyond the capital.
Under the agreement, both institutions will collaborate on a series of initiatives, including the introduction of a Regional Audition Hub for North East applicants and the delivery of intensive workshops in Sunderland led by ArtsEd’s industry-experienced tutors. These initiatives will provide young performers with clearer, more supported routes into professional-level training.
The partnership comes at a pivotal moment for the UK’s creative industries, as demand continues to grow for diverse, highly skilled performers across stage and screen. Together, ArtsEd and Arts North Studios are committed to nurturing the next generation of talent while maintaining strong regional identity and community connection.
Professor Louise Jackson, Principal of ArtsEd, said:
“We are delighted to formalise our relationship with Arts North Studios. At ArtsEd, we firmly believe that world-class training should be accessible to all who have the talent and dedication to pursue it. Sunderland has a rich cultural heartbeat, and this partnership ensures that the exceptional potential within the North East is recognised, supported, and connected directly to the industry.”
Annie Guy, Principal of Arts North Studios, added:
“As someone who grew up in the North East and trained at ArtsEd myself, this partnership is deeply personal. Bringing top-tier training and industry expertise to the region is something I am incredibly passionate about.”
“Partnering with an institution as prestigious as ArtsEd not only validates the remarkable talent we see in our studios every day, but also strengthens our role as a leading performing arts college in the North East.”
“This collaboration levels the playing field for young performers in our region. It represents a promise of opportunity, allowing students to train at the highest level while remaining connected to their roots. It is a monumental moment for Arts North Studios and for the city of Sunderland.”
About ArtsEd
Based in Chiswick, London, ArtsEd is a world-renowned centre of excellence for performing arts training. With a history spanning more than 100 years, the institution offers specialist programmes in Musical Theatre and Acting and is recognised for producing graduates who go on to lead successful careers across theatre, film, and television worldwide.
About Arts North Studios
Located in the heart of Sunderland’s Cultural Quarter, Arts North Studios is the North East’s premier performing arts college. The college is dedicated to empowering the next generation of performers with the skills, confidence, and resilience needed to succeed in professional theatre and beyond. With a faculty of experienced West End practitioners, Arts North Studios provides expert training in acting, singing, and dance and operates as a flagship initiative developed in partnership with Culture Quarter and in collaboration with Sunderland College.