The iconic Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead has revealed it is to open a new branch in a former printing warehouse in neighbouring Newcastle-upon-Tyne on 6 April.

Located in a Grade II-listed building, Baltic 39 is being financed by Newcastle City Council (NCC) and Arts Council England. It will house a public gallery and 32 artists' studios.

Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art and Northumbria University will be the site's operating partners, with the new cultural hub to provide training and exhibition opportunities.

NCC cabinet member for quality of life Henri Murison said: "[This partnership] will enhance Newcastle's growing status as a unique centre for cultural and creative industries.

"This is the result of four major organisations working together to give the city and the region a powerful new voice on the cultural stage."

Baltic director Godfrey Worsdale added: "The new gallery space will enable exhibiting artists from all over the world to bring their work and ideas into a context that is also home to academic practice-based research and over 30 professional artists' studios."

Details: www.balticmill.com

Image (from left): Godfrey Worsdale; Arts Council England regional director Alison Clark-Jenkins; Henri Murison; and Northumbria University vice-chancellor and chief executive Professor Andrew Wathey - photo by Mark Pinder