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North East

North East museums imageThe North East is made up of four geographic areas: Northumberland, County Durham, Tyne and Wear and the Tees Valley and 12 local authority administrative areas. 70 % of the 2.6 million population is concentrated in the urban centres of the Tees Valley and Tyne & Wear, but the majority of the region is rural. 

Local authorities, universities, charitable trusts, private organisations and individuals, and volunteers operate more than 220 museums, libraries and archives in the region, receiving over 18m visits per year.

  • The region has 67 Accredited museums and 10 Designated Collections of national significance
  • The public libraries deal with almost 3 million enquiries for information every year and provide 2,048 free public access PCs
  • The region has 67 archive-holding organisations and the 4 county record offices manage 30 miles of archives and records
  • More than 95% of all schools use museums and archive resources to enhance their pupil’s learning experience

The North East has a strong tradition of partnership working with regional cultural agencies and regional partners.  MLA, Arts Council England, North East, English Heritage and Sport England North East work together on embedding culture within the regional strategy, local government delivery, Living Places and 2012.

Newcastle library praised

MLA chiefs at new £40m library

Newcastle’s new city centre library, which opens in June, has a completion ceremony attended by the MLA in early March.

> Read more about Newcastle

Library opens in the heart of the community

Community housing project includes new library

Sunderland City Council contributes £2m towards the housing complex scheme which includes a modern library.

> Read more about silksworth

Project commemorates abolishment of slavery

Archive and museum events celebrate end of the slave trade

A series of events across Teesside have have led to an increased public understanding of the slave trade and strengthened links with the local community.

> Read more about manacles and money

Bringing collections into the classroom

Partnership results in learning resources and strengthened ties with schools

A partnership between Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery, Cumbria Record Office and a local history teacher has greatly benefited local schools.

> Read more about Tullie House

Tyne and Wear volunteer programme

Tyne and Wear museums discover the secret to volunteering success

A federation of 11 museums and galleries on Tyneside has found the key to successful volunteer management through an innovative programme launched in 2005.

> Read more about Tyne and Wear

related links

  • contact us north east

    Details to find out more about the region and the MLA field team for the North East

  • regional resources

    Details of websites which provide sources of additional information for museums, libraries and archives in the North East

  • regional plans

    Four agencies that report to DCMS (the MLA, Sport England, English Heritage and Arts Council) work together at a regional level to produce shared strategies for culture and sport.