Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums

Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums (TWAM) is a major regional museum and art gallery service. Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums is a collection of 12 museums and galleries across Tyne & Wear, supported by the five local authorities of the area. Our mission is to help people determine their place in the world and define their identities, so enhancing their self-respect and their respect for others.

Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums have several Designated Collections of national importance.

The Fine and Decorative Arts, Natural Sciences, and Science and Technology Collections at Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums are Designated Collections of national importance.

This is a major museum service which manages two World Heritage Sites and 8 museums and galleries. The Designated science and technology collection includes important material relating to marine engineering, such as Turbinia, the world's first vessel driven by steam turbine. The collections relating to coal mining, railways and mechanical engineering are also strong. The Designated decorative and fine arts collections feature significant holdings of Newcastle silver, contemporary craft and Sunderland glass, including the exquisite Londonderry Dinner Service, as well as paintings by artists such as Lowry and Burne-Jones. The large and diverse Designated natural science collections include the work of John Hancock and Thomas Bewick.

Key artists and exhibits

• Designated Collection