Journey to the Lower World, 2004 (still) by Marcus Coates, courtesy the artist. Photo: Mark Pinder. © The artist 2005.

Take Deller, Emin, Hirst... mix in a bit of Jane and Louise Wilson... add a sprinkling of local talent, cutting edge digital art and even a bit of Rolf Harris. Put them all in various galleries, outdoor locations and on billboards around the north east and you get the vast NewcastleGateshead Festival Visual Arts.

Running right through until March 2006, the festival was inspired by the arrival at Baltic of the British Art Show 6 - on show until January 8 2006 – and is a vast celebration of visual art designed to engulf the two cities.

A variety of exhibitions are taking place at major galleries such as the Laing in Newcastle and the Reg Vardy Gallery in Sunderland, but there's also a dazzling array of public art dotted around the area.

Foy Nissen's Bombay by Howard Hodgkin. © The artist. On show as part of Revelation: Reflecting British Art in the Arts Council Collection at the Laing Art Gallery from October 8 2005 until January 8 2006.

The NewcastleGateshead Initiative, which manages a multi-million pound cultural programme, is behind the whole thing.

"NewcastleGateshead has a strong tradition in visual arts and is fast becoming a popular base for young artists and arts organisations looking for a vibrant city in which to work - recognized as a place offering opportunities, inspiration and support," explained Andrew Dixon, Acting Chief Executive, NewcastleGateshead Initiative.

"Against the backdrop of British Art Show 6 at Baltic, the Festival of Visual Arts celebrates the area's artistic heritage and the thriving, arts scene here today."

Support for the vast event has come from Gateshead Council, Newcastle City Council, One North East, Arts Council England, North East, Tyne and Wear Partnership, the Urban Cultural Programme and Northern Rock Foundation.

Broken Time by Jane and Louise Wilson, on show at the Hatton Gallery, University of Newcastle until November 12 2005.

Building upon NewcastleGateshead's growing reputation as a leading cultural destination, it aims to attract world-class talent to the region and nurture existing local talent.

The full spectrum of artistic practice will be on show at various points during the next six months from painting and sculpture to film, video and performance.

Among the big names exhibiting are Turner Prize nominees and Newcastle-born artists Jane and Louise Wilson. Commissioned as part of the Great North Run cultural programme the pair have made a film work exploring the route of the famous sporting event through Tyneside, which is on show at the University of Newcastle’s Hatton Gallery until November 12 2005.

The Laing Art Gallery will be exhibiting work by such big hitters as Tracey Emin, Damien Hirst, Sarah Lucas and Turner prize 2004 winner Jeremy Deller.

Rocks in my bed by Peter Randall Page, on show at One Trinity Gardens, Quayside Newcastle until January 8 2006.

Revelation: Reflecting British Art in the Art's Council Collection is on from October 8 until January 8 2006 and looks at the developments and trends within the contemporary art world, focussing on the outstanding purchases made over the past 25 years.

But it’s not all conventional gallery-based art. Alec Finlay has teamed up with crossword setter Sandy Balfour to create Three Rivers crossword.

An interactive experience mixing art and wordplay, Finlay and Balfour’s crossword maps are available on carriage cards in Metro trains throughout Tyne and Wear in September and October. Finishing them will create a world map of the north east based around its three rivers.

Multiplus, on show at a yet to be confirmed venue in Newcastle city centre from December 19-30 2005, presents multiples by over 40 artists most of whom are based in the north east.

Space Agency Digital (October 10 until December 10) will bring cutting edge, contemporary digital art to a plasma screen near you. Those lucky enough to be in Newcastle or Gateshead should keep an eye on shop windows…

Highlighting the area’s reputation for public art, most notably Antony Gormley's Angel of the North, Gateshead Council Leader Cllr Mick Henry explained how a crucial element of the festival is that it’s open to all.

"Here in Gateshead," we have a strong heritage of art - especially public art," he said. "The Festival of Visual Art celebrates both our artistic heritage and allows local people to consider new and inspiring artworks - and best of all it's accessible to everyone."

For more information about the festival and a full rundown of what’s on, visit the NewcastleGateshead Initiative website.