North East Museums expands its regional reach

A prominent cultural organisation is embarking on a new era with a rebrand and a major expansion to its portfolio of venues.

Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums is now called North East Museums, reflecting its growing regional influence and providing “a fresh spark” to the new sites under its management.

From 1 April 2025, the organisation will expand its footprint into Northumberland and take responsibility for Northumberland County Council’s venues: Woodhorn Museum in Ashington, Hexham Old Gaol and Morpeth Chantry Bagpipe Museum, bringing its total number of sites to 12.

North East Museums attract around one million visitors annually. It oversees iconic sites such as the Discovery Museum, Laing Art Gallery and Arbeia Roman Fort, while also managing the Tyne & Wear Archives and delivering cultural projects across the region.

From April 2025, North East Museums will manage the following sites:

Arbeia, South Shields Roman Fort, South Tyneside 

Discovery Museum, Newcastle upon Tyne 

Great North Museum: Hancock, Newcastle upon Tyne 

Hatton Gallery, Newcastle upon Tyne 

Hexham Old Gaol, Northumberland 

Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle upon Tyne 

Morpeth Chantry Bagpipe Museum, Northumberland 

Segedunum Roman Fort, Wallsend, North Tyneside 

Shipley Art Gallery, Gateshead 

South Shields Museum & Art Gallery, South Tyneside 

Stephenson Steam Railway, North Shields, North Tyneside 

Woodhorn Museum, Ashington, Northumberland 

Tyne & Wear Archives 

Keith Merrin, director of North East Museums, said: “This is a hugely positive and significant moment for both our organisation and our partners to ensure that by working together we can deliver the best museums, galleries and archives for the people of our region and visitors from all over the world.  

“We were already working on a new name and brand for the organisation before Northumberland County Council approached us about the potential of managing their museums, and now our new name makes even more sense.” 

The partnership includes local councils in Gateshead, Newcastle, North and South Tyneside and Northumberland, along with Newcastle University.

By preserving over 1.1 million significant objects and offering award-winning learning activities, North East Museums continues to make a substantial cultural and economic impact in the region.

Chris Mullin, chair of the North East Museums strategic board, added: “We welcome the opportunity to work with Northumberland County Council bringing more museums into our partnership.

“Museums and galleries play an important role in the cultural life of the region and working together we aim to provide a consistent high-quality experience for all our communities and visitors to the region.”

Glen Sanderson, Northumberland County Council leader, also added: “Museums are extremely important for our residents and visitors which is why the County Council want to make sure we provide the very best offer we can.

“Our new providers come with a very impressive and proven track record and will bring a fresh spark which I am sure will be appreciated.”

Looking to promote your product/service to SME businesses in your region? Find out how Bdaily can help →