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26/07/2005
Ulster Museum to get £11.5m facelift
The Ulster Museum is to receive a £11.5 million facelift, Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure, David Hanson, said today.
Announcing his Department’s £7 million commitment towards the major development project, Mr Hanson said work on the landmark would begin towards the end of 2006, and that it would "radically transform the interior of the building, providing new history and science galleries, extensive learning zones and up-to-date facilities and services for visitors".
“This is not just an investment in the museum; it is an investment in the economic regeneration of the City," Mr Hanson said. "Over the last ten years Belfast has reinvented itself as a modern capital city. The museum has a vital role to play in cementing its growing reputation both as a tourist destination and as a dynamic and outward-looking city in which to live and work.
“Modern museums should have a central role to play in the community and must be able to offer facilities which meet the needs of our rapidly changing society.”
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) is further boosting the plans for the Museum, with the news of their largest planned grant to date in Northern Ireland with an earmarked a record £4,713,000 towards the redesign project.
Commenting on the award, HLF's Chair for Northern Ireland, Primrose Wilson, said: “HLF funds projects that transform historic buildings and collections, but also reach out to new audiences and provide exciting learning opportunities for everyone to enjoy.
"This project will encompass all of these aims. We’re pleased that we can support one of Northern Ireland’s most important cultural heritage institutions.”
(MB/SP)
Announcing his Department’s £7 million commitment towards the major development project, Mr Hanson said work on the landmark would begin towards the end of 2006, and that it would "radically transform the interior of the building, providing new history and science galleries, extensive learning zones and up-to-date facilities and services for visitors".
“This is not just an investment in the museum; it is an investment in the economic regeneration of the City," Mr Hanson said. "Over the last ten years Belfast has reinvented itself as a modern capital city. The museum has a vital role to play in cementing its growing reputation both as a tourist destination and as a dynamic and outward-looking city in which to live and work.
“Modern museums should have a central role to play in the community and must be able to offer facilities which meet the needs of our rapidly changing society.”
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) is further boosting the plans for the Museum, with the news of their largest planned grant to date in Northern Ireland with an earmarked a record £4,713,000 towards the redesign project.
Commenting on the award, HLF's Chair for Northern Ireland, Primrose Wilson, said: “HLF funds projects that transform historic buildings and collections, but also reach out to new audiences and provide exciting learning opportunities for everyone to enjoy.
"This project will encompass all of these aims. We’re pleased that we can support one of Northern Ireland’s most important cultural heritage institutions.”
(MB/SP)
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