Until now, the New Light Collection has been taken out of the gallery setting and loaned to public bodies and charities, such as schools and hospitals.
Work includes that by the late Norman Ackroyd, Anne Desmet and Mark Demsteader.
The collection also features work from Nat Quinn, who studied at Northumbria University and who was the first winner of the New Light Art Prize in 2011, as well as work from fellow graduate Erin Ward.
Durham artist Anja Percival also has prints included in the sale.
“It’s a very sad moment,” Tadd said. “But the collection has been such a source of joy and solace to people that we are so proud of what we’ve managed to achieve with it and so grateful to the artists that have donated work to achieve it.”