The Sage Gateshead (ISPA member organization and host to the ISPA 2005 Gateshead Congress) celebrated its 5th birthday on December 17, 2009.  At the formal birthday celebration, the organization announced that Anthony Sargent (long standing ISPA member) will continue as General Director until 2015 and Lord (David) Puttnam of Queensgate will continue as Chair until 2012.

Since opening in December 2004, The Sage Gateshead has welcomed over 3 million visitors, provided over 200,000 music making sessions and 2,000 performances, and held more than 500 conferences with over 100,000 delegates.  In just five years the organizaiton has commissioned and premiered over 40 new works; hosted 48 visiting orchestras and 1,300 performing artists from a wide range of musical genres.  The organization has provided music making sessions to over a million people in more than 1,000 places across North East England and is reaching many more all over the United Kingdom through three national music education partnerships.

The Sage Gateshead has made a 5-year contribution to North Eastern England’s economy of $235m - just over three times the total capital cost of the building or, viewed annually, over seven times the organization’s total core annual subsidy.