North East Museums welcome £438k renewal fund award
North East Museums has been awarded £438,300 from the government’s £20 million Museums Renewal Fund, a boost that will help safeguard the future of 12 cultural venues across the region.
Formerly known as Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums, the organisation manages a network of attractions from Tyneside to Northumberland - including the Discovery Museum, Great North Museum: Hancock and South Shields Museum & Art Gallery - as well as the Tyne & Wear Archives service.
It is one of 75 civic museum organisations to receive support from the new national fund, which aims to strengthen the UK’s museum network and secure access to culture “for generations to come.”
The grant award will be used to increase resilience and sustainability across all 12 museums, with a focus on tackling rising operational costs, introducing a new ticketing system to meet growing demand for events, and supporting the organisation’s expanded remit following the addition of new Northumberland-based venues earlier this year.
Keith Merrin, director of North East Museums, said: “We are incredibly grateful to receive £438,300 from the Museums Renewal Fund. The money allows us to build resilience so that we can continue to deliver enriching museum experiences for local people long into the future.
“Our 12 museums and galleries celebrate the North East region, support the growth of our creative and visitor economies, and provide learning opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds.”
Museums Minister Baroness Twycross said: “Museums offer a place where people from all backgrounds can learn, be inspired and delve into our rich history, helping to understand the stories that led us to where we are today.
“The Museum Renewal Fund is contributing to the delivery of our Plan for Change. It ensures much-loved civic museums can remain open and continue to provide opportunities for future generations to learn about our shared heritage.”
Sir Nicholas Serota, chair of Arts Council England, added: “This funding will provide a crucial lifeline for local museums in stabilising their financial situation and building towards a sustainable future.”