Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums (TWAM) is a major regional museum, art gallery and archives service. We manage a collection of nine museums and galleries across Tyneside and the Archives for Tyne and Wear.

We are supported by the four local authorities in Tyneside and Newcastle University. TWAM is also a National Portfolio Organisation funded by Arts Council England.

We hold collections of international importance in archives, art, science and technology, archaeology, military and social history, fashion and natural sciences.

TWAM has been awarded funding from Arts Council to act as a Bridge organisation. The only museum service to take on a Bridge role, TWAM is one of 10 Bridge organisations across the UK using its experience and expertise to connect children and young people with art and culture.

TWAM also delivers the Museum Development programme for the North East. The programme is a comprehensive, effective and collaborative response to the needs of museums in the North East and the communities they serve. As a result TWAM supports a total of 55 museums operating in the North East.

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.

Our vision…

for the future is for everyone to have access to museum and archive provision in Tyne and Wear, to use this access and to value it for the significant and positive impact that it makes upon their lives. We will provide real or virtual, worldwide access to our museums and archives and their collections.

Our commitment…

is to a World-class service that is innovative, imaginative, creative, totally inclusive, secure and sustainable.