Adrian Jenkins has been director of the Bowes Museum since 2001, playing a leading role in overseeing its transition to an independent charitable trust and steering a successful £12m refurbishment programme which has transformed the 19th Century Grade I listed building into a 21st Century museum and visitor attraction and removed it from the English Heritage Buildings at Risk Register

The Bowes Museum makes such a memorable first impression, can you share your own personal first impression?

I WAS in my mid-twenties, sitting between two chain-smoking attendants from the Laing Art Gallery, in Newcastle. We were delivering the first exhibition I had ever curated, Shipwreck! and the van was full of paintings, stuffed seals, seabirds and rats. As my colleagues had refused to open the windows for the entire journey, my first sight of the Bowes was through a thick blue grey mist.

Is the museum’s art collection fixed, or do you see room for expansion: if so, how?

While the basis of the collection was formed by John and Josephine Bowes, the museum has remained active in acquiring new objects since it opened in 1892.

Can you explain how the Art Fund works?

The Art Fund plays a vital role nationally in helping museums acquire important objects that they wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford.

How important nationally is the Bowes Museum’s collection?

The Bowes is designated by the Government as a building and collection of international significance.

Apart from the silver swan, do you have a favourite piece?

Sorry, there are too many to choose from.

If John or Josephine could be brought back and you could ask one question, what would it be?

How did you find the time to do all you did in such a relatively short time?

What is your favourite part of your job?

The bits where I can collectively recognise what we have achieved, whether it be an important exhibition opening, creating new galleries, or basic, but fundamental things, such as fixing the roof. Alongside that is the satisfaction of seeing our visitors enjoying what we have done.

Who is your hero, real or fictitious?

My childhood imaginary friend, Stephen Western. (My own children who know him well.)

What do you do to relax?

Roaming from my house up to High Force, Cauldron Snout or maybe the Strathmore Arms.

While I am on foot, the kids are on bikes – an unfair advantage.

Where is your favourite place in the North-East?

Upper Teesdale.

In an ideal world how do you see the Bowes Museum in ten years’ time?

A world class museum enjoying worldwide acclaim, also being acknowledged as a great day out to eat, drink and play.

What exciting things do you have coming up at the Bowes in the near future?

We have Manet’s painting The Execution of Maximilian coming in March, a unique opportunity to see this iconic painting as part of the National Gallery’s Masterpiece tour. We also have an exhibition of David Hockney prints and an exhibition on Victorian Childhood, both opening in June.

  • The Bowes Museum, Cafe Bowes and shop are open daily from 10am. For more information, call 01833-690606 or see thebowesmuseum.org.uk.