Catalyst to receive funding from Arts Council England
Nearly 70 museums and libraries across England will benefit from a £33 million boost through the latest round of the Cultural Investment fund, which includes 26 projects that will be funded under the Museum Estate and Development Fund.
The funding will support important upgrades to museums and public libraries – such as vital repairs, renovations and the development of digital infrastructure – which will ensure they can continue to be assets to their communities and improve the visitor experience.
These critical infrastructure projects will help boost access, maximise income generation opportunities and increase visitor numbers at treasured organisations across the country.
Catalyst Science Discovery Centre and Museum in Widnes, is delighted to announce that they have been awarded £312,499.00 from the MEND fund. This funding will be used to completely replace the flat roof of the fourth floor, glass-walled Observatory Gallery, a project that will be delivered in partnership with Halton Borough Council. Additional work to increase insulation at roof level will greatly improve the environmental performance of the museum.
Darren Henley, Arts Council England chief executive said: ‘Museums make a huge contribution to the lives of people in towns and cities across England. The investment in the physical fabric of their buildings helps to make sure that our museums are able to carry on serving their communities for years to come. We’re excited to be delivering the next round of the programme on behalf o the DCMS because we know the positive impact this investment has on helping museums make a real difference across the country’.
Hugh Dowding, Chair of the Trustees at Catalyst said: ‘Catalyst is housed in a Grade II listed building, and these essential works to protect the fabric and longevity of the property are beyond the scope of our day-to-day maintenance budget. This MEND grant and a percentage of match funding from Halton Borough Council will enable Catalyst to carry out its usual activities to ensure a high quality experience for visitors’.
Notes to editors
Photo shows The Observatory Gallery at Catalyst which will receive a new roof.
For further information about Catalyst, images and interview opportunities, please contact Meryl Jameson, Marketing Manager, Catalyst Science Discovery Centre and Museum, Mersey Road, Widnes WA8 0DF.
About Catalyst
As an independent charitable trust, Catalyst is the only science centre and museum in the UK dedicated to the science and technology behind the chemicals industry and its impact on our lives, past, present and future. Based in a Grade II listed Building in Widnes, where the chemical industry flourished for over 170 years, Catalyst holds a unique position as a museum, a national industrial archive and an educational resource. Through a range of interactive exhibits, workshops, science shows, historical talks and displays, we have been inspiring and educating people of all ages for over 30 years!
About the Museum Estate and Development Fund
The £86 million Museum Estate and Development Fund will enable Museums across the country to deliver a better experience for visitors and staff, make access and environmental improvements, unlock income-generating opportunities and continue to protect treasures buildings and collections for future generations. It is open to museums in England accredited by the Arts Council which are not directly funded by DCMS. This is the third round of funding, bringing the total amount of investment so far to more than £62 million for 93 museums. A fourth round of funding, worth £23.8 million, was announced in February with a deadline of 18 April 2024 for expressions of interest. Full guidance and information on how to apply can be found on the Arts Council England website.
Through this third round of the fund, 26 projects will receive a share of £22.6 million. Previous recipients include the Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, which was awarded more than £650,000 in the first round of the fund, while Cannon Hall, a Grade II* listed Georgian mansion in Barnsley and home of the De Morgan Museum, received over £800,000 in round two.
