Great Exhibition of the North awarded National Lottery funding

Great Exhibition of the North awarded National Lottery funding

A family enjoys Discovery Museum
People of all ages will be able to explore the North of England's fascinating heritage and exciting future Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums
Exhibitions celebrating the North of England’s heritage and future will be at the heart of one of next year’s biggest cultural events, thanks to National Lottery players.

Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums (TWAM) has been awarded £813,100 to transform the Great North Museum: Hancock for visitors to the Great Exhibition of the North and to bring Stephenson’s Rocket to Discovery Museum.

[quote= Ivor Crowther, Head of HLF North East] "The Great Exhibition of the North is an unrivalled opportunity to shine the spotlight on the North of England’s incredible heritage." [/quote]

Ivor Crowther, Head of HLF North East, said: “The Great Exhibition of the North is an unrivalled opportunity to shine the spotlight on the North of England’s incredible heritage and we’re delighted that money raised by National Lottery players is going to have such a big impact for millions of visitors to the event next year.”

History, legacy and innovation

Free and full of reinvigorated displays and exciting loaned items, a major exhibition at the Great North Museum: Hancock will explore the fascinating histories, inspiring legacies and amazing innovations which have moulded the places and people in the North, while continuing to shape our futures.

The museum will host events and performances throughout the summer and give people of all ages the chance to work with technological, historical and artistic experts to create an installation focusing on Northern pioneers.

Return of the rocket

The project will also pave the way for the return of Stephenson’s Rocket to Newcastle – for the first time in 150 years. Discovery Museum will host the historic locomotive, on loan from the Science Museum Group. National Lottery funding will prepare its temporary home and create an exciting programme of Rocket themed activities and tours.

Iain Watson, Director of TWAM said: “Thanks to the National Lottery, we are able to transform the Great North Museum: Hancock and bring Stephenson’s Rocket to Discovery Museum where it will sit beside Parsons’ Turbinia, another icon of Northern innovation.”

[quote= John Glen, Minister for Art, Heritage and Tourism] "This National Lottery grant is fantastic news for Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums and will help it tell the story of the North’s past, present and future in imaginative and exciting ways." [/quote]

The Great Exhibition of the North 2018

John Glen, Minister for Art, Heritage and Tourism, said: "This National Lottery grant is fantastic news for Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums and will help it tell the story of the North’s past, present and future in imaginative and exciting ways."

The Great Exhibition of the North will take place from 22 June to 9 September 2018. Led by the NewcastleGateshead Initiative with a range of partners, including TWAM, the event is set to bring the dynamic story of the North of England to life for millions of visitors.

More highlights of the Great Exhibition of the North, many of them also National Lottery funded, are set to be announced over the coming months.

Visit the Great Exhibition of the North website to keep up to date.

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