Through advocacy and information and from the perspective of artists, a-n’s mission is to stimulate and support contemporary visual arts practice and affirm the value of artists in society.

This extensive collection contains 60 years of professional practice material created by the renowned architect and urban planner, Sir Terry Farrell, from his architectural education, international business operations and urban planning advocacy work. The archive features pieces from his schooldays in Newcastle and his time studying architecture at the University in the 1950s. A large proportion of the collection consists of thousands of items relating to his creation of iconic designs such as the MI6 Building in London, the Embankment Place development above Charing Cross station and Beijing South Station in China, along with a large supporting visuals library and marketing materials. Additionally, the collection also contains items relating to Sir Terry Farrell's involvement in numerous committees and advisory groups for urban development.

The Marine Technology Special Collection (MTSC), is a unique historical resource of marine technical documents from British shipbuilding, including the less well documented marine engine building, ship repairing, and ship breaking industries. The collection spans the mid-19th century to 2000, with an emphasis on North East England. The collection includes company documents, technical publications and ‘British Shipbuilding Database’, which is a database of 80,000 British-built ships of the 19th and 20th centuries.

Newcastle University has made a significant contribution to this industrial heritage, while its School of Marine Science and Technology is renowned throughout the world. For over a century, it has played a leading role in the teaching and research of the marine technologies including naval architecture, shipbuilding, and marine engineering.

The MTSC, formerly managed by the School of Marine Science and Technology was transferred to the University Library in September 2024. Visit MTSC’s website to find out more details. https://www.ncl.ac.uk/engineering/about-us/facilities/marine/