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A new and exciting chapter is about to unfold in the creative life of Berwick Gymnasium Gallery and its prestigious Fellowship Programme.

In its 15th year, the partnership programme between English Heritage and Art Council England, North East goes from strength to strength with its participants penetrating the contemporary arts circles to become recognised creative players.

The programme has enjoyed a highly respected status within the international artistic community and provides a platform for professional development for young, energetic artists some of whom have gone on to become Turner prize nominees.

The concept of the programme is to provide professional artists with the space and time to develop their working practice, a unique creative luxury that can benefit the artist's approach to their chosen field by giving them the opportunity to experiment with new ideas, materials and styles.  Each year over 150 artists apply for two national fellowships, and over 30 for the international fellowship.

Previous Fellows have included such names as Mike Nelson, Perminder Kaur, Marcus Taylor, Shona Illingworth, Paul Housley and Elpida Hadzi Vasileva who've all enjoyed showing their work at the Berwick Gymnasium Gallery.  Other artists to have shown their work in the contemporary space have included Jane and Louise Wilson, Willie Docherty and James Hugonin.

The ambition, energy, drive and vision of The Berwick Gymnasium Arts Fellowships scheme have been major contributors to the current progressive success of the Gallery space.  This is positively reflected in the substantial influx of visitor numbers to the venue which have more than doubled in 2007 an increase of 113%; this has also seen the gallery hire in national exhibitions including the Hayward Touring programme.

The progression of the programme has been flighted onto an upper plain with the recent introduction of the Northern Rock Foundation as a third partner, funding a dedicated curator and exhibitions officer at the Gymnasium Gallery, allowing its exhibition calendar to lengthen which in turn provided the opportunity for exhibitions like the Berwick Open to take place where local and regional artists were invited to show their work within the Gallery space.

Martin Allfrey, Head Curator English Heritage, said: "English Heritage is a proud supporter of the Arts Fellowships programme as we recognise this valuable time allows artists the platform for future professional development.  Also, where better for artistic practitioners to ply their creativity than Berwick, a locality rich in context, both architecturally and historically, a place that cannot fail to have an impact on the artists' work.

"We are aware that the successful partnership between the contemporary and the heritage continues to stimulate everyone associated with the programme. Our history, both built, social and personal cannot fail but impact on all of our lives including the artists we've engaged with over the years.  They have found a rich platform upon which to make their work and English Heritage looks forward to continuing to work with artists whose curiosity and vision presents a reflection of our past in unpredictable ways. Our intention is to build upon our experience and offer these rare opportunities to those who wish to take up the challenge."

Mark Robinson, Executive Director of Arts Council England, North East, said:  "Arts Council England, North East is pleased to have been working in partnership with English Heritage in the North East since 1993 and to celebrate the Berwick Fellowships with the launch of this publication. The Berwick Fellowships programme is a highly sought after opportunity which has proved a valuable stepping stone for the artists involved many of whom have gone on to achieve national and international recognition."