Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums to receive £87,820 from the third round of the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund

More than £100 million has been awarded to hundreds of cultural organisations across the country including Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums (TWAM) in the latest round of support from the Culture Recovery Fund, the Culture Secretary announced today.

TWAM is a regional museum, art gallery and archives service managing nine visitor attractions across Tyneside and the archives for Tyne and Wear. Its venues include the Great North Museum, Discovery Museum and Laing Art Gallery. 

TWAM has been awarded a grant of £87,280 by Arts Council England. The money will be used to support activity to regrow its self-generated income through retail, venue hire, events and catering. These funding sources are vital in supporting TWAM’s work across the region but have been significantly impacted by the pandemic and continue to be under pressure. 
 
The third round of funding will support organisations from all corners of the sector as they deal with ongoing reopening challenges, ensuring they can thrive in better times ahead.  
 
Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said: 

"Culture is for everyone and should therefore be accessible to everyone, no matter who they are and where they’re from. 
 
"Through unprecedented government financial support, the Culture Recovery Fund is supporting arts and cultural organisations so they can continue to bring culture to communities the length and breadth of the country, supporting jobs, boosting local economies and inspiring people." 

Over £1.2 billion has already been awarded from the unprecedented Culture Recovery Fund, supporting around 5000 individual organisations and sites across the country ranging from local museums to West End theatres, grassroots music venues to festivals, and organisations in the cultural and heritage supply-chains. 

Keith Merrin, Director of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums, said:  

"We are very grateful to receive a grant of £87,280 from the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund and we thank DCMS and Arts Council England. Income generation activity in our museums has been severely curtailed by the pandemic and this money will be vital in helping us to recover and continue to deliver our brilliant work with communities."  
 
Darren Henley, Chief Executive, Arts Council England, said: 
 
"This continued investment from the Government on an unprecedented scale means our theatres, galleries, music venues, museums and arts centres can carry on playing their part in bringing visitors back to our high streets, helping to drive economic growth, boosting community pride and promoting good health.

"It’s a massive vote of confidence in the role our cultural organisations play in helping us all to lead happier lives."

Please contact Jonathan.Loach@twmuseums.org.uk