The Wolfson Foundation and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) have today announced a new round of funding for museums and galleries.
As part of the DCMS/Wolfson Museum and Galleries Improvement Fund, £4 million will be available over the next two years to improve displays, protect collections and make exhibitions more accessible.
The latest round of the scheme will be open for applications from 9 May 2022.
The new funding comes as the DCMS/Wolfson Fund marks 20 years of working together to support the arts and culture. To date the Fund has awarded £48 million to over 400 projects at museums and galleries.
Paul Ramsbottom, chief executive of the Wolfson Foundation said:
“The collections of our outstanding museums and galleries tell us so much about our shared history and heritage. For over 20 years, we have worked with DCMS to support an impressive range of institutions to improve access to fascinating objects and art.
“We are delighted to continue our longstanding partnership with DCMS and to announce another round of funding. This support will allow museums and galleries to enhance the display and interpretation of their collections, giving greater access and enjoyment for visitors.”
Arts Minister Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay said:
“This is a brilliant example of what can be achieved when public funding and private philanthropy come together. I encourage organisations from every part of the country to apply so we can support even more museums and galleries to make sure everyone has access to the incredible benefits of art and culture.”
To mark two decades of partnership, Paul Ramsbottom and Lord Parkinson recently visited Kettle’s Yard, the University of Cambridge’s modern and contemporary art gallery.
In 2013, the DCMS/Wolfson Fund supported their redevelopment project, which has created a four-floor Education wing, improved exhibition galleries, a new entrance area and a café.
The DCMS/Wolfson partnership has also enabled fascinating collections previously not on display to go on show for the first time. For example, Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery in Carlisle recently received £252,500 to conserve and display 40 outfits as part of a fashion exhibition looking at styles from the 18th century.
Reyahn King, Chief Executive, York Museums Trust said:
“DCMS/Wolfson Museums and Galleries Improvement Fund grants have supported us to carry out transformative work to our museums and galleries. At the Yorkshire Museum, the installation of ‘Jurassic Yorkshire’ enabled us to mount a high quality, interactive and technologically creative suite of new permanent galleries that attracted more visitors than at any time since York Museums Trust was founded in 2002. Support for York Art Gallery’s redevelopment in 2013 assisted us to hugely increase our display and exhibition space and establish CoCA, the Centre of Ceramic Art. We also received support towards our permanent ‘Shaping the Body’ exhibition at York Castle Museum, which examines our costume and social history collections through the contemporary lens of body image.”
Professor Stephen Toope, Vice-Chancellor, University of Cambridge said:
“On behalf of the University of Cambridge, I am delighted to celebrate the renewal of the DCMS/Wolfson Museums and Galleries Improvement Fund. The extraordinary collections in UK museums and galleries are vital in helping us understand both ourselves and our place in the world. From our Museum of Zoology’s invaluable record of life on earth to the remarkable collection of modern and contemporary art at Kettle’s Yard, the University is committed to contributing to this store of knowledge. Renewing the Fund ensures this national heritage reaches the widest possible audience.”
More than 370 museums and galleries across 130 museums and museum groups are eligible to come forward for the latest round of the scheme.
Museums and galleries interested in applying for the DCMS/Wolfson Fund can find out more on the DCMS website.
