A Leeds Museum sharing just under £1m funding has said it is “absolutely essential” to keep it open.
The funding comes from a £20m pot from the government’s Museum Renewal Fund, where Leeds museums secured £952,000 of this.
“Currently there is a deficit in the local authority between what it costs to run museums and what is available, so receiving the funding is vital” said Christopher Sharp, the Keeper of the Leeds Industrial Museum.
Source: Toby Almond | All Rights ReservedThe Museum Renewal Fund is part of the government’s £270m Arts Everywhere Fund which plans to support economic growth and increased opportunities.
Leeds Art Gallery will also receive funding to redevelop the exhibitions to create a “larger world-renowned site.”
David Hopes, the Head of Service for Leeds Museums and Galleries welcomes the funding, but notes that there is a “long-term funding problem that should be addressed.
“The MRF (Museum Renewal Fund) is hugely welcome but it is only for this financial year, when we face financial pressures every year” he added.
Source: Toby Almond | All Rights ReservedFigures from Leeds City Council have shown that for every pound invested in museums and galleries, generates around £9 for the local economy.
Another aim of the funding boost is to encourage more visitors from a diverse background to visit museums.
Councillor Salma Arif said: “Securing this hugely important funding will support our dedicated and passionate teams on site to form exciting plans for the future.”
York Museums Trust is receiving £1m, one of the biggest grants, which will be used to invest in the York Castle Museum.
Bradford is receiving £125,000 and Wakefield is receiving £82,807, where some of this will go towards Pontefract Castle.
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