Museum visits on the rise
Crowds outside the Great North Museum: Hancock
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Museums and galleries in Tyne & Wear have received more than 2 million visits in the past year (2,286,737).
Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums’ venues have welcomed more than 2 million people during the past 12 months; a rise of 500,000 from last year’s figures.
The Great North Museum: Hancock alone has received more than 750,000 visitors since it opened in May 2009, smashing its visitor target of 300,000 for its first year.
Iain Watson, acting director of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums says:
“We always knew the Great North Museum would be a huge success but its popularity since it was launched has surpassed all of our expectations. We have an exciting programme of exhibitions, events and capital developments across our venues in the coming year so I am confident we will continue to see impressive visitor numbers.”
February half term was especially busy and proved to be even more popular than last year with a significant increase in visitors to the Laing Art Gallery and Discovery Museum in particular.
The Laing is currently enjoying success due to the Beatles to Bowie: the 60s exposed exhibition, which began in February and will run until 18 April. The display has received more than 60,000 visitors to date.
The Shipley Art Gallery also had a successful year, with a highlight of the exhibition programme being the Story of the Supremes from the Mary Wilson Collection, which showcased over 50 costumes and explored how Barry Gordy styled the group to appeal to as wide an audience as possible.
The Great North Museum: Hancock has also celebrated winning several awards, including The Renaissance Museum Award (Journal Culture Awards 2009), Best Interactive Exhibits In A Museum Setting (British Interactive Media Awards for ICT 2009) and ‘Best Launch Campaign’ (Northern Marketing Awards 2009). It was also highly commended in the category of ‘Best Interior In The World In 2009’ at the World Architecture Awards.
The Great North Museum: Hancock is also shortlisted for the Art Fund Prize 2010. It is one of only 11 museums and galleries in the UK shortlisted for the prestigious £100,000 prize. Part of the judging process involves getting as many public votes for the museum as possible. To vote visit: www.artfundprize.org.uk/2010/vote/ and say why the Great North Museum should win.