Point North launches 'Northern Lights' match fund
Point North is delighted to support this year’s Lumiere Durham through the launch of the ‘Northern Lights’ match fund which is set to brighten lives throughout County Durham all year round.
The match fund offers businesses a unique opportunity to maximise their social impact and invest in the region’s cultural scene, which to date has attracted over 1.3 million visitors and boosted the local economy by more than £43 million.
How does the Northern Lights match fund work?
For every pound donated by businesses, Point North will contribute an additional 50p on selected partnerships.
This means your investment could be worth 50% more to local people, at no extra cost to your business.
Where will my donation be going?
Working with Artichoke, the match fund will unlock additional funding for the year round Lumiere Learning & Participation programme.
The Learning and Participation activities are integrated into the artistic programme of Lumiere Durham and offers a chance for local people to take part in the arts and to develop their creative skills.
In 2023, more than 1,800 local people across 18 community groups, 15 schools, six libraries and three prisons took part in Learning & Participation projects, working with artists to create Lumiere artworks.
Over 300 local volunteers and eight young trainees helped bring Lumiere Durham 2023 to life, developing valuable skills and improving wellbeing.
One of the young people who took part in the Learning & Participation programme shared: “It made me really happy knowing that I had contributed to the Lumiere because I’ve gone to it multiple times over the years with my family; it was really special knowing I had a hand in it.”
Michelle Cooper, CEO at Point North, said:
“As we embark on celebrating our 30th anniversary, we are immensely proud to continue our longstanding partnership with Lumiere, a festival that brings magic, light and togetherness to our communities.
"Everyone should have the opportunity to experience and take part in arts and culture, and Lumiere embodies this by making world-class art accessible to all. We’re thrilled to once again support this incredible celebration of light which continues to enrich lives across County Durham and the wider North East.”
Helen Marriage, Artistic Director of Artichoke, said:
“I’m thrilled that Artichoke will be continuing our long-standing partnership with Point North at Lumiere Durham 2025 through the launch of the new Northern Lights Match Fund.
“For three decades, Point North has enriched local lives across County Durham, and we are incredibly proud to be part of that legacy. Lumiere not only brightens dark autumn nights with world-class light art; it also sparks imagination, nurtures creativity, and provides training and opportunities for local people all year round through our Learning & Participation programme.
“Thanks to Point North’s match funding, this year’s supporters can amplify their impact at no extra cost to their business, delivering vital support to the local community.”
Point North’s commitment to brightening lives has already attracted support from 61 businesses and donors since 2021. In 2023, Point North also launched matched ticket donations of 1,830 members of the public, further extending the festival’s reach into local communities.
This year, Lumiere Durham will take place over three evenings, from Thursday 13 November to Saturday 15 November.
Interested in the Northern Lights match fund?
If your businesses is interested in finding out more about the Northern Lights match fund please email: development@artichoke.uk.com
