Words by Tom Nicholson
Photography by Tanya Nies and Alex Gibbs
The head of Newcastle’s cultural institutions says that he is prepared to counteract the effects of funding losses as local government cuts start to bite.
The Laing Gallery, the Discovery Museum and Tyne & Wear Archives will have 50% of their council funding cut over the next three years.
This is just part of a raft of cuts handed down to the cultural sector by Newcastle City Council, which also include a 100% cut in council funding for the Great North Museum and the Hatton Gallery.
The head of Newcastle’s cultural institutions says that he is prepared to counteract the effects of funding losses as local government cuts start to bite.
The Laing Gallery, the Discovery Museum and Tyne & Wear Archives will have 50% of their council funding cut over the next three years.
This is just part of a raft of cuts handed down to the cultural sector by Newcastle City Council, which also include a 100% cut in council funding for the Great North Museum and the Hatton Gallery.
As these institutions are all free to visit, the question of how to make up the shortfall is a knotty one. The Laing Gallery also offers free gallery talks, artists’ events and family activities, all of which are potentially under threat.
Iain Watson, director of Tyne & Wear Archives and Museums said: “Obviously this will have an impact on the wide range of services we can deliver to people in the region including opening hours, exhibitions, family activities, learning and community programmes. We will also be actively looking at increasing income generation and new and additional sources of funding.”
Iain Watson, director of Tyne & Wear Archives and Museums said: “Obviously this will have an impact on the wide range of services we can deliver to people in the region including opening hours, exhibitions, family activities, learning and community programmes. We will also be actively looking at increasing income generation and new and additional sources of funding.”
Watson continued: “I understand that this is not a decision which Newcastle City Council wished to make but has been forced on it by the local government funding position.
“I sincerely believe in the positive impact that museums and galleries – and wider arts and culture – has on the local and regional economy, and the lives of people who live in the North East. Over 1 million people enjoy and learn from museums and galleries in Newcastle every year.”
For more information on the Laing Gallery and other cultural institutions in the North East, see http://www.twmuseums.org.uk
“I sincerely believe in the positive impact that museums and galleries – and wider arts and culture – has on the local and regional economy, and the lives of people who live in the North East. Over 1 million people enjoy and learn from museums and galleries in Newcastle every year.”
For more information on the Laing Gallery and other cultural institutions in the North East, see http://www.twmuseums.org.uk
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