Manchester’s galleries and museum to receive Arts Council England funding

04 Nov 2022

Manchester Museum, The Whitworth and Manchester Art Gallery are among 990 cultural organisations across the country to receive Arts Council England funding

The three organisations make up the Manchester Museums and Galleries Partnership, which is a unique collaboration between Manchester City Council and the University of Manchester.

They will receive £4,881,168 in funding from Arts Council England’s National Portfolio Investment Programme over three years. The programme enables the arts and culture sector to make a significant impact in driving recovery of the nation following the pandemic, as well as supporting the mental wellbeing of communities by offering cultural experiences.

Particular focus has been placed on investing in places outside of London, broadening access to culture.

Manchester Art Gallery, The Whitworth and Manchester Museum bring ambitious exhibitions and displays, free events and inclusive facilities to visitors in Manchester and beyond.

Esme Ward, Manchester Museum Director: “We are grateful to receive support from Arts Council England while we are in the final stages of a major transformation, hello future. Manchester Museum has been closed to the public since August 2021 for construction work and will reopen in February 2023. It is not just about extending the footprint of the museum, we’re also renewing our creative and civic mission. The funding will help us to realise our ambitions and guarantee our success beyond the lifespan of the hello future project. As a partnership, we are absolutely committed to working together to bring joy, inspiration and care to all our communities at a time when it is needed most.”

Alistair Hudson, Director of the Whitworth and Manchester Art Gallery: “The continuing support of Arts Council England is an enormous boost for the galleries that enables us to continue and grow our work making a dynamic culture with people across the city and beyond; using art to support, enhance and enrich lives in the most challenging times we have known. The NPO funding forms the backbone of our museum partnership. It allows us to be free and open to all people, and to collaborate with other institutions, grass roots organisations and communities to make a city and culture worth living in.”