Museums Northumberland, the county’s museum service, has been awarded £40,000 from the Art Fund’s Reimagine grants programme to transform the internal exhibition spaces at Hexham Old Gaol, England’s first purpose-built prison.
Hexham Old Gaol, built in 1333 using stone from a Corbridge Roman site, is the earliest purpose-built prison in England. Transformed into a museum in 1980, it was originally known as the Middlemarch Centre for Border History. Today it shares stories of criminal justice, heroism, human rights, nationhood, poverty, and disability stretching back almost 700 years.
£40,000 Art Fund grant to the Old Gaol in Hexham
Art Fund’s Reimagine programme is designed to inspire creativity and increase stability and resilience in museums. The £40,000 grant to Hexham Old Gaol is part of the latest programme of projects to support museums to reimagine their approach to partnerships.
Reimagining England’s first purpose-built Gaol will see stories of the Tudor Gaol Break, the Border Reivers, the Hexham Riots, and more. The space will be reimagined to create an inclusive, relevant, and engaging experience for every visitor to the museum.
Jenny Waldman, Director, Art Fund, said:
‘The projects showcase the incredible value local museums have for communities and demonstrate their remarkable ambition, resilience and entrepreneurial spirit in the face of growing challenges.’
Partnerships in the Old Gaol project
The project will also expand Museums Northumberland’s existing partnership with HMP Northumberland, exploring the way in which the collections and themes of England’s oldest prison connect with modern-day HMP Northumberland.
Vicky Robinson, Director of HMP Northumberland, said:
‘We have some very talented prisoners and my ambition is to broaden the programmes of arts within the establishment recognising the rehabilitative benefit of such programmes and partnerships.’
The artist at the heart of the project
Acclaimed illustrator and printmaker Jonny Hannah will be at the heart of the two-year re-imagination and transformation project. He will work with local communities and partners in Hexham and the wider area to create striking and engaging displays that present the stories of Hexham Old Gaol in a completely new and vibrant way.
Jonny Hannah said:
‘Every community, place, town, or region has stories to tell. I find this fascinating. And some people may think their stories aren’t important enough, but I’ve found that’s not the case. Urban Folklore as I call it, is a vast pool of inspiration for me, with small nuggets waiting to be uncovered and brought to life by me as a visual statement. This could be an eight-foot painting on board, or a newspaper or comic book, or a woodcut or screen print.’
Rowan Brown, chief executive of Museums Northumberland, commented:
‘Anyone that visited Hexham Old Gaol during Jonny Hannah’s fantastic countywide exhibition Northumberland Folk will know how his work transforms spaces; using local stories shared by the community to bring museum and heritage collections to life.
‘We want to use Jonny’s unique approach to developing art with local people to transform Hexham Old Gaol into an engaging ‘story box’ where people of all ages and abilities can learn about the history of the building, its impact on the local area, and the how it still plays a part in the story of Northumberland today.’
About the Art Fund
Art Fund is the UK’s independent charity for art, helping museums and people to share in great art and culture for 120 years. Art Fund raises millions of pounds every year to help the UK’s museums, galleries, and historic houses. The charity funds art, enabling the UK’s museums to buy and share exciting works, connect with their communities, and inspire the next generation. It builds audiences with its National Art Pass opening doors to great culture; and it amplifies the museum sector through the world’s largest museum prize, Art Fund Museum of the Year, and creative events that bring the
UK’s museums together. Art Fund is people-powered by 135,000 members who buy a National Art Pass, and the donors, trusts and foundations who support the charity.
The National Art Pass provides free or discounted entry to over 400 museums, galleries, and historic places, 50% off major exhibitions, and Art Quarterly magazine. Further information, and link to join the Art Fund here.
Museums Northumberland
Northumberland’s museum service cares for sites of historic interest, and collections of national importance across the county. It comprises Woodhorn Museum in Ashington, Berwick Museum and Art Gallery, Hexham Old Gaol, Hexham Moot Hall, Hexham House of Correction and Morpeth Chantry Bagpipe Museum.
Hexham Old Gaol is open until Sunday 03 November and then closes for the winter, reopening in Spring 2025. For more information about Museums Northumberland here.
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