Putting 'Great' into Museums!

One hundred percent of visitors to the Great North Museum: Hancock agree that it deserves to be called 'Great' according to an exit poll conducted at the museum following its launch last week.

Thousands of people have flocked to the museum to get a glimpse of the brand new £26million re-development since its launch on Saturday 23 May and a snapshot survey conducted by Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums has revealed very positive results.

Visitors were asked if they thought the new museum merited its new name and whether they thought the museum was in fact 'great'.  The results were outstanding with 100% believing the museum deserves to be called 'great' and over 80% rating the museum as excellent.

Everyone who took part in the survey said that they would visit again, particularly due to the fact that it is free admission to the museum.

Ged Bell, Chair, Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums Joint Committee, explains:

"Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums has been proud to be part of the regeneration of the Great North Museum: Hancock and is of course proud to be managing it. 

It is now a wonderful facility imbued with history but very much of the 21st century.  One of the most important messages though, is the admission to the Museum is now free for everyone everyday! We continue to believe in the importance of providing cultural experiences for the people of the North East and for visitors to the region.  We know that admission fees can present a real barrier to access, particularly in times of economic hardship and so it is with particular pleasure that we welcome visitors free to our museums."

Highlights of the new museum include a planetarium, a unique bio-wall displaying the diversity of life on Earth, a life-size T.rex skeleton, mummies from Ancient Egypt, a large scale model of Hadrian's Wall and a display of many of its treasures, and a superb collection of ancient Greek art and archaeology.

Animals from around the world, make up a spectacular display of life on Earth, past and present, and highlight the diversity of the animal kingdom. 

The Great North Museum: Hancock also serves as a gateway to the environment and landscape of the North East of England.  The Hadrian's Wall Gallery displays exhibits from the entire length of the Wall in the single greatest collection of artefacts from the Hadrian's Wall World Heritage Site. 

Portraits for Maggie's a stunning photography exhibition by Sam Taylor Wood is now on show in the new temporary exhibition space.  The exhibition features an inspiring series of intimate portraits capturing the strong heroic spirits of seventeen people affected by cancer and is on show until 13 June 2009.