Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums awarded National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) funding

Image: A family visiting Discovery Museum in Newcastle upon Tyne

Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums (TWAM) has been successful in its application to Arts Council England for National Portfolio Organisation funding for 2023-26.  

TWAM has been awarded £3,357,648 per year, for 3 years. The Arts Council received over 1,700 eligible NPO applications from museums and cultural organisations across the country, more than double the number it currently funds. The annual available budget for NPOs is £446m.  

Over 2023-2026 TWAM will strengthen its position as a creative organisation at the heart of the North East and an exemplar in the country. Central to this will be co-curation with the communities it serves and strategic partnerships with a range of cultural, public sector, third sector and business organisations. 

TWAM will continue to develop ambitious projects including events and exhibitions which put North East England in the national spotlight and a primary focus will be on tackling inequality, ensuring there are no barriers to participation. 

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

“It is great news that we have been awarded NPO funding. At a time when our communities are facing one of the toughest periods in history following the pandemic and amidst the cost-of-living crisis, it is important that we can continue to deliver a high quality, good value museum service for all of our audiences. This will support our plans in developing opportunities for everyone to engage with the rich variety of culture we have on offer in the North East.”