The Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum has been awarded a grant of £518,000 from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sports.
The money, delivered by Arts Council England, will be used on a project to restore the original 1901 conservatory, replace the air-handling units and improve drainage.
This grant forms part of almost £50 million of funding awarded to galleries, museums, libraries and cultural venues across the country to improve people’s access to the arts, safeguard cultural assets for future generations and power economic growth through culture.
Professor Stuart Bartholomew, Chair of the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum commented: “It is an extraordinary building with extravagant interiors as well as an internationally important art collection.”
Arts Minister Lord Parkinson said: “This will help them to continue their great work, advance our work to level up access to arts and culture so they can be enjoyed by people no matter where they live, and protect these cherished institutions for future generations to enjoy.”
Darren Henley, Chief Executive, Arts Council England, said: “Our artists, arts organisations, museums and libraries are experts in making villages, towns and cities better places to live, work, visit or play. This investment means they’ll be able to help more people across England to lead happier, more creative lives.”
The Museum Estate and Development Fund helps fund museum and local authority infrastructure projects and urgent maintenance works beyond their day-to-day budgets.