The Wolfson Foundation and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) have today announced the museums and galleries that will receive a share of £4 million to improve displays, protect collections and make exhibitions more accessible to visitors.
This round of the joint DCMS/Wolfson Museums and Galleries Improvement Fund will support 33 museums across England.
The Wolfson Foundation and DCMS each contributed £2 million to this round of the fund, which has benefited more than 400 projects in its 20-year history.
The fund aims to help museums and galleries make their collections as accessible to the public as possible, whether that be through building accessible ramps and facilities, improving collection storage to protect them for the future or getting more of their collections out on display.
In this latest round of funding, the People’s History Museum in Manchester will receive a grant of £214,300 to improve access to the museum for people with disabilities by installing accessible doors, lifts and toilets, improving stairs and walkways with handrails and ramps, and installing signs around the museum to make it more accessible.
This year there has also been a particular focus on supporting museums and galleries in adopting energy saving measures and improving sustainability.
The National Motor Museum in the New Forest, for example, will use its grant of £200,000 to install new heating and lighting to improve environmental performance. Abbot Hall Art Gallery, in Kendal, will use £40,500 to review its environmental controls for collections to reduce energy use.
Paul Ramsbottom, chief executive of the Wolfson Foundation said: ‘We’re delighted to continue our longstanding partnership with DCMS, which has now awarded over £50 million to outstanding museums and galleries over the past two decades.’
‘While the projects funded are many and varied, they will all improve access to the treasures of our museums and galleries – allowing more people to enjoy and learn from these impressive collections, as well as safeguarding them for the future.’
Arts Minister Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay said: ‘The DCMS/Wolfson Fund aims to make sure more people can access our brilliant museums and galleries right across the county.
‘Thanks to this combination of public funding and private philanthropy, these awards will help people who may have previously found visiting museums and galleries difficult and make sure everyone can enjoy and engage with the wonderful collections and exhibitions they offer.
‘With 80 percent of the money going to museums outside the capital, this funding is further evidence of the Government’s commitment to levelling up and widening access to culture.’
From left: Professor Stella Bruzzi, Dean of Arts and Humanities at UCL, Arts Minister Lord Parkinson and Paul Ramsbottom Chief Executive of the Wolfson Foundation at the Grant Museum of Zoology
The Bowes Museum which manages a Grade I listed building as well as a designated collection and parkland in County Durham has received a grant of £254,900 to develop four new gallery spaces – bringing more of their collections to the public. The new galleries will be created together with the local community to make sure they are fully accessible for people with reduced mobility and sensory impairments.
£71,700 will help Derby Museums to improve accessibility at Grade I listed Pickford’s House to help the museum use virtual reality to bring the house to a wider audience. Kelham Island Museum in Sheffield will receive £45,000 to improve displays in collaboration with their local communities.
Full list of awards by region:
East Midlands
Pickford’s House: £71,700
East of England
Food Museum: £89,600
London
Grant Museum of Zoology: £100,000
Royal College of Music Museum: £33,000
Jewish Museum London: £80,000
Museum of the Home: £200,000
London Transport Museum: £80,000
The Wallace Collection: £50,000
Natural History Museum (South Kensington): £100,000
North East
Oriental Museum: £104,500
The Bowes Museum: £254,900
North West
People’s History Museum: £214,300
Manchester Art Gallery: £150,000
The Whitworth: £80,000
Abbot Hall Art Gallery: £40,500
South East
Discover Bucks Museum: £60,000
Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust: £100,000
Mary Rose Museum: £74,900
Museum of English Rural Life: £54,300
Museum of Natural History: £125,000
National Motor Museum: £200,000
Hampton Court Palace: £201,400
South West
Tate St Ives: £54,300
The Wilson Art Gallery and Museum: £202,500
Torquay Museum: £250,000
The Etches Collection – Museum of Jurassic Marine Life: £219,500
The Tank Museum: £100,000
National Maritime Museum Cornwall: £237,000
West Midlands
Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery: £150,000
Yorkshire and The Humber
Experience Barnsley Museum & Discovery Centre: £37,500
National Science and Media Museum: £100,000
Kelham Island Museum: £45,000
Temple Newsam: £140,100
Images: UCL/James Tye
