News

Durham University and The Bowes Museum sign agreement to enhance County Durham’s educational and cultural heritage

(22 July 2011)

Lord Foster (left) and Professor Chris Higgins signing MoU

Durham University and The Bowes Museum has agreed to a cultural and educational exchange which could also support County Durham's tourism economy.

The two institutions will share artefacts and expertise in areas such as conservation and provide opportunities for the University's Museum Studies students to work on placement at the Museum in Barnard Castle, in addition to the University's collection of museums in Durham City.

Both the University and Bowes will also work together to promote Durham and Barnard Castle as tourist destinations.

Professor Chris Higgins, Vice-Chancellor of Durham University, and Lord Foster of Bishop Auckland, who is Chair of The Bowes Museum Trustees, will sign a Memorandum of Understanding, to seal the agreement.

The MoU formalises a number of existing informal collaborations between the University and the Museum. These include: 

• The loan of artefacts from the Egyptology collections of the University's Oriental Museum as part of the current Egyptology exhibition at Bowes;
• Collaboration in regional conservation and the care of collections;
• Listing the books of The Bowes Museum Library on the University Library catalogue.

The agreement could also lead to new partnerships between The Bowes Museum and the University's proposed new Centre for Visual Studies. The Centre will bring together colleagues from across the University with shared research interests in visual culture - art, film, photography - and provide opportunities for developing collaborative research projects and postgraduate studentships.

The University's agreement with Bowes is the latest announcement involving Durham University aimed at preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of the region and drawing on these resources for scholarly purposes.

Durham recently signed an MoU with Ushaw College in County Durham to preserve its important collection of ancient books and artefacts.

Earlier this month a partnership agreement was reached to share the display of the St Cuthbert Gospel on a 50:50 basis between the British Library and Durham University and Cathedral. This followed the announcement of a major fund-raising campaign by the British Library to purchase the highly-significant 7^th Century book.

The St Cuthbert Gospel complements the Lindisfarne Gospel Book, also strongly linked to St Cuthbert, which is planned for exhibition on Durham's UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013, on a three-month loan from the British Library.

Professor Chris Higgins was also part of a campaign group which ultimately led to the retention of the Zurbaran paintings at Auckland Castle, in Bishop Auckland.

Professor Higgins said: "This agreement between Durham University and The Bowes Museum is another example of the strong partnership working that exists in County Durham which will enhance scholarship and the wider appreciation of our regional, national and international culture and heritage.

"We are developing a 'Durham Cultural Corridor' extending from Barnard Castle, through Bishop Auckland and Durham City, which allows us to share knowledge and expertise from partners across the County and jointly promote the County's many cultural, artistic and heritage attractions which will benefit the wider area in terms of its academic standing and its visitor economy."

Lord Foster said: "The signing of this agreement between The Bowes Museum and Durham University coincides with the Museum completing a five-year capital redevelopment programme which has re-energised the building and collections in keeping with the 21^st century.

"The Museum looks forward to sharing and developing its world class collections with our colleagues at the University, and intends to play a significant role in the cultural renaissance and regional economy of the County."