MS Stubnitz arrives on the River Tyne on Monday

The MS Stubnitz is to be one of three venues for a major live arts event called the International Festival of Rivers and the Sea.

The four-day festival begins on 30 June and will feature a range of events on Newcastle and Gateshead quaysides.

Festival highlights include the world premiere of a new production by Karen Finley - one of the most influential figures in US performance art.

Other names lined up include esteemed US performer Tim Miller as well as performances and displays by Sachiko Abe, Tim Brennan, Marie Cool and Fabio Balducci.

The Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead is also playing a major part in the festival.

The MS Stubnitz, a German ship converted into a floating venue, will be moored on Newcastle Quayside beside the Millennium Bridge.

It is sailing to Tyneside from Rotterdam. During the ship's voyage artists Lone Twin, Sneha Solanki and Duncan Speakman will create new works influenced by the journey to form part of the festival.