I’M nearly 12 years into this job now and, as most of you will know, a lot nearer the end than the beginning. I’m still learning though, which keeps me on my toes. Another constant of the job is that there is generally something happening that makes me really look forward to the day or week ahead.

I’m writing this with one eye on the clock because very shortly I’ll be off to see one of those special projects that harness the huge amount of pride that local people have in Middlesbrough.

Earlier in the year, Andy Preston, from Teesside Philanthropic Foundation, and artist Mackenzie Thorpe joined forces with our art gallery mima to launch Love Where You Live, the UK’s biggest art competition that celebrates the place you live and supports local good causes.

Like so many of the best ideas, Love Where You Live is simple. All you do is express, in words or pictures, why you like Middlesbrough on the back of a postcard. As I say a great idea – but I doubt if even the most optimistic of the organisers could have predicted the response.

For the past few weeks, the walls and windows of mima have been turned into a huge collage and thousands of postcards have poured in, from schools, local artists, residents and Teesside ex-pats I’ve been to see the display six times now and each time I have been left open-mouthed at the invention, imagination and inspiration of the people who have taken part. And as I have left I have turned round, looked at the gallery and said to myself: “This is why we built you. This is why you are important to Middlesbrough.”

Art, like life, has many components. Like life too, it isn’t just about sitting back and observing. It is about getting involved, doing something.

This competition has given people a chance to think about Middlesbrough and what the town really means to them then share those thoughts and visions with everyone else. Probably very few of them had that opportunity before. It has been a new experience and judging by the entries a wholly positive one.

I want everyone in Middlesbrough, but particularly young people, to have the opportunity of experiencing world class art so they can learn about themselves and also learn about the society and world they live in.

Sometimes that world and environment might seem a bit dull and grubby, but look at them another way and they are full of possibilities.

Whether it’s art, education or sport, far too many people in the past have said: “No that’s not for me.” I want them to change that attitude.

I want to hear them say: “Why not, I’ll give that a go.”

From the response to Love Where You Live, most people are up for the challenge.

The judging panel, which includes Mackenzie and Andy, will be choosing 27 winners, including primary and secondary schools, community groups and individuals, who will share £41,000 for charitable causes.

We will also be celebrating the opening of our latest exhibitions, including one from the Tate’s collection of international drawing.

It’s a grey world at the moment, particularly for those of us in public service. Cuts and austerity measures like the winter weather never seem to go away. But while people take pride in a place that they know belongs to them, towns such as Middlesbrough will still have more than a fighting chance of success.