Museums to benefit from £4m improvement fund

Museums and galleries across England are receiving a share of £4m to improve displays, protect collections and make exhibitions more accessible to visitors.

The funding is available through the latest round of the Galleries Improvement Fund, administered by DCMS and Wolfson Museums. It has been split between 33 museums in total, 26 of which are outside London.

Beneficiaries include the People’s History Museum in Manchester, which will receive £214,300 to improve access to the museum for people with disabilities, and New Forest’s National Motor Museum, which will use its £200,000 grant to install new heating and lighting to improve environmental performance.

The largest grant (£254,900) went to County Durham’s Bowes Museum to develop four new gallery spaces. Executive Director Hannah Fox said the funding will “play a significant role in enhancing the Museum’s relationship and place within the local community”.

DCMS Arts Minister Lord Parkinson said all 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% 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,” he added.