Bournemouth’s Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum has been awarded over £1.5 million of government funding.
The money will pay for vital repairs and access improvements to the Grade II listed building.
It’s part of a wider major funding package for arts and culture in the UK totalling more than £270 million pounds.
Today’s announcement, by Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, has been welcomed by Bournemouth West MP Jessica Toale who has been campaigning for more investment in arts and culture in the town.
She said: “Arts and culture has such a vital role to play in Bournemouth, and Russell-Cotes is a much-loved staple of our arts offer but, like most Victorian buildings, is in need of constant care and attention.
“This government funding not only helps safeguard the future of this important part of Bournemouth’s culture, but demonstrates a clear commitment to investing in, and supporting, arts and culture here in the UK.”
Russell-Cotes, a registered charity, is one of hundreds of arts venues, museums, libraries and heritage buildings receiving a share of the Arts Everywhere Fund from the government.
The cash is targeted at organisations in urgent need of financial support to keep them up and running, carry out vital infrastructure work and improve long-term financial resilience.
The Russell-Cotes funding will cover the cost of addressing fabric issues to the sea-facing façade, improve security and fire protection, replace failing services and restore independent disabled access in the unique Victorian building that has been a staple of Bournemouth’s tourism offer for over 100 years.
Picture: Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum.