Partnership Marked Between mima and Teesside University

MIDDLESBROUGH, England, June 9, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

A partnership between mima and Teesside University heralds a new era for the flagship modern art gallery.

Middlesbrough Council and Teesside University have announced the formation of a new partnership to further develop mima's role in the town.

Plans are in place for ambitious exhibitions with international and regionally based artists.

Teesside University is working with mima to convert a back of house store into a new permanent gallery to house mima's contemporary jewellery collection.

Two jewellers-in-residence have also been appointed. Gemma Draper and Janet Hinchliffe McCutcheon are working to create opportunities for people to get involved in jewellery events by sharing their expertise, skills and passion for decorative adornment.

The project has been realised with a grant of almost £300,000 from Arts Council England and support from Teesside University.

The jewellery collection comprises over 200 objects and represents jewellery created by some of the world's most prominent jewellers.

mima, which this year celebrated its seventh birthday, has attracted nearly one million visitors. It houses an impressive permanent collection of ceramics, jewellery and fine art including works by L.S. Lowry, Duncan Grant, Vanessa Bell, Ben Nicholson, Tracey Emin and Grayson Perry and has played host to works by some of the biggest names in the art world, including Lucian Freud, Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, Gerhard Richter, Anish Kapoor and Francis Bacon.

Teesside University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Graham Henderson CBE DL, said: "This is an exciting new partnership for the University which will help us to build on our growing reputation as an institution with a rich heritage and a commitment to assisting the cultural development of our community."

"Bringing together the University and mima will offer a new level of opportunity and experience for both parties, not only complementing and further expanding the creative expertise and experience within our School of Arts & Media, but also offering development opportunities across a wide range of other parts of the University."

"Councillor Charlie Rooney, Middlesbrough Council's Executive Member for Regeneration and Economic Development, said: "mima is established as an iconic and internationally recognised symbol of Middlesbrough's regeneration, and the new relationship with the University is laying the foundations for its continued growth and success."

Mark Robinson, mima's Interim Director, added: "mima will continue to provide opportunities for people to engage with world-class art and to play a role in establishing Middlesbrough as an arts destination."