Bowes Museum funding appeal makes 'successful start'
A County Durham museum has made a "successful" start to a fundraising campaign designed to protect its long-term future.
The Bowes Museum was awarded £1m last year under a scheme which encourages relationships between heritage organisations and private donors.
Under the terms of the Catalyst Endowments programme, Bowes has to raise the same amount over four years.
About £350,000 has been pledged so far, the museum said.
It had set a target of £300,000 for the first year.
The Catalyst Endowments programme is a joint enterprise between the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and Arts Council England.
Museum director Adrian Jenkins said the fund would ensure Bowes could continue to bring "great art" to the region.