A Warning To Heretics
Sat 23 Jan 10 - Sun 07 Mar 10
One of the oldest and most intriguing paintings in The Bowes Museum’s collection is the focal point of a new display. The small panel, A Miracle of the Sacrament by ... view details
Press Releases > Museum Makeover Gains Momentum Thanks To Latest Millions
The Bowes Museum is delighted to announce that a bid for just over £2 million to One NorthEast through the County Durham Economic Partnership has been successful. This success is joined by £200,000 awarded from the European Regional Development Fund and follows on from the Museum’s recent announcement of £3.3 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Over the next two years a series of projects will see a complete transformation of visitor amenities, the creation of new galleries and other refreshing ways of engaging with the collections as well as completing the much needed roof restoration work.
The Museum’s Silver and Precious Metals collection will have a permanent home, to include many items previously unseen. The Silver Swan will be redisplayed with new interpretation and the Museum’s outstanding textile collection will be on show in a stunning new Textiles and Dress Gallery.
On the upper reaches of the Museum ‘state of the art’ storage facilities are being created, topped off with a spectacular Reading Room where researchers and students can access the Museum’s archive and library. A space for lifelong learning is to be shaped on the ground floor with the creation of a new education suite as well as an upgrade of service facilities to The Jubilee Room; the Museum’s striking function room, a flexible space that is used for an array of events including lectures, meetings and weddings.
Adrian Jenkins, Director of The Bowes Museum, said: “These generous awards complete the funding jigsaw required to commence this phase of the Museum’s development programme. We now have the challenge of implementing the work and continuing to provide a quality visitor experience throughout. This is a thrilling time for the Museum as it moves towards becoming a world class visitor attraction in the North of England.”
Stacy Hall, Director of Communications and Tourism, One NorthEast said: “Tourism is a major part of the economy of North East England, worth £3.5bn to the local economy. Last year the region saw a 5% increase in visitors to its attractions, and it is through investment such as this in The Bowes Museum that we will continue to see tourism develop in the region and an increase in the number of visitors to North East England.”
The works are being managed by Turner & Townsend, with Turner & Holman as Quantity Surveyor and Colin Williams Design contracted as Interior Architect. The Museum is poised to appoint contractors to make the planned makeover a reality. The new Silver Gallery has been designed by Continuum and the Textiles and Dress Gallery by Blue, the design company. The completion of the roof restoration will be managed by Peter Pace Architects.
Meanwhile the Museum continues its programme of exhibitions and events. Opening on Saturday 17 May is Alfred Sisley: Impressionist Landscapes; the first major exhibition devoted to this leading Impressionist to take place outside London in half a century.
The Bowes Museum, Café Bowes and shop are open daily from 10.00am. For further information about events or exhibitions contact 01833 690606 or visit the website at www.thebowesmuseum.org.uk.
Editors’ notes
· The Bowes Museum was created over 100 years ago by an extraordinary couple, John and Joséphine Bowes. Together they built up the greatest private collection of fine and decorative arts in the North of England and constructed a magnificent building to house them in. The collection contains thousands of objects including furniture, paintings, sculpture, ceramics, textiles and many other items covering an extensive range of European styles and periods.
· The Bowes Museum receives a core funding grant from Durham County Council and as a member of the North East Regional Museums Hub receives support from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport through the Museums, Library and Archives Council Renaissance programme. Additional revenue funding specifically for the Museum’s acclaimed exhibition programme is provided by Northern Rock Foundation.
· The Bowes Museum is undergoing a major transformation that includes roof restoration work and gallery redevelopment, meaning that some spaces are currently not available for public access. This work is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, One NorthEast through the County Durham Economic Partnership, English Heritage, Northern Rock Foundation, The Monument Trust, Garfield Weston Foundation, The Foyle Foundation, The European Regional Development Fund, DCMS/Wolfson Museum and Galleries Improvement Fund, Designation Challenge Fund, The Shears Foundation, The Richard and Suzanna Tonks Family Fund at County Durham Foundation, Durham County Council, The Friends of The Bowes Museum, The Headley Trust, Sir James Knott Trust, Catherine Cookson Charitable Trust, Fenwick Ltd, Mercers Charitable Foundation, Welton Foundation. While we are endeavouring to keep as much of the collections on display as possible, visitors are advised to call ahead if wishing to see a specific item to check if it is on display.
· Normal admission to the museum: Adults £7.00, Concessions £6.00, Children Free (under 16s). Admission allows access to all exhibitions, permanent displays and some events. Admissions are donation inclusive and are eligible for Gift Aid. If you do not wish to make a charitable donation admission prices are: Adults £6.35, Concessions £5.45, Children (under 16) and carers free.
· The Bowes Museum, Café Bowes and shop are open daily from 10.00am.
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