Region gets a boost from museum and galleries fund
Two museums in the West Midlands are to benefit from a total of £300,000 to help increase access to their collections.
Black Country Living Museum has secured £90,000 and the Potteries Museum in Stoke-On-Trent has been given a £210,000 boost from the DCMS/Wolfson Museums and Galleries Improvement Fund, which supports national and regional museums across England to improve the quality of displays, enhance exhibition spaces and public access, and increase awareness of their collections.
Jointly funded by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and philanthropic charity the Wolfson Foundation, the fund has so far given £48m to help 382 projects at 114 museum groups and galleries since it was started in 2001.
Minister for Arts, Heritage and Tourism Michael Ellis said: “Our museums and galleries are among the best in the world and we are rightly proud of these institutions. The DCMS/Wolfson Fund demonstrates how the government and philanthropic organisations can work together to boost our museum sector.
“We want people up and down the country to enjoy culture and heritage wherever they are. The 35 grants awarded today will make important contributions towards improving the visitor experience; ensuring our wonderful collections are open to as many people as possible.”
Paul Ramsbottom, chief executive of the Wolfson Foundation, added: “We are delighted to provide this funding through our longstanding partnership with DCMS – an excellent example of how we as a charity can work together fruitfully with government. We are grateful to DCMS for matching our funding.
“One of the great treasures of this country is the sheer quality and range of our heritage collections – stored and displayed in wonderful museums and galleries. This funding will help to provide even better visitor experiences and greater awareness of these fascinating collections.”
