Will British cities copy Newcastle's culture cuts?
Steph McGovern investigates arts funding cuts in Newcastle and asks if they will provide a model for other British cities.
Newcastle City Council has announced plans to scrap £1.2 million in subsidies to theatres and other arts venues.
It is also halving its grants to museums and galleries and 10 libraries could close.
Nick Forbes, the council's leader, said it had been left no choice because of central government's funding cuts.
The move has unleashed a storm of protests from the arts community including Billy Elliot writer Lee Hall.
Critics say the cuts threaten cultural venues with an uncertain future as well as having a knock-on impact on the local economy.
There are now fears across the country that more councils will follow Newcastle's lead in cutting arts funding.
Inside Out North East and Cumbria is broadcast on Monday 28, January at 19:30 GMT and nationwide on the iPlayer for seven days thereafter.
28 Jan 2013
- From the section England