£4 million to improve access to arts and culture

The government has announced £4 million of funding to enable access to arts and culture.

Through the joint DCMS/Wolfson Museums and Galleries Improvement Fund, the public will have increased access to regional museums and galleries.

The money will support to local people by improving displays, enhancing collections care and making exhibitions more accessible to visitors.

Over the last 20 years, more than 440 projects have benefitted from over £50 million in funding. 

People’s History Museum in Manchester received over £200,000 for their Welcome Project, which focused on key improvements to the building. The project installed a new accessible front door, full toilet renovation including installation of a changing places facility, accessible furniture and updated all signage around the museum.

Meanwhile the Food Museum in Suffolk received more than £89,000 in funding for the Abbot’s Hall estate and its listed gardens. Funding enabled to build a new bridge so visitors could reach the 18th century fishing lodge.

Arts minister Sir Chris Bryant said: "We want everyone, everywhere to be able to enjoy culture and the arts – and this fund helps us achieve that mission.

"It is a great example of combining public funding with private philanthropy to help deliver on our Plan for Change by ensuring that people who may find accessing museums and galleries difficult have the opportunity to enjoy the incredible collections we have on offer in this country."

Paul Ramsbottom, chief executive of the Wolfson Foundation, said: "Museums and galleries play a vital role in deepening our understanding of the past and our shared culture. For over twenty years we have worked with DCMS to support museums and galleries as they improve access and enable more visitors to discover, understand and enjoy our country’s remarkable collections. We’re delighted to continue our partnership with this new round of funding."