Museum and art gallery receive funding from the Arts Council

November 04, 2022

The Northampton Museum and Art Gallery has received £450,000 from Arts Council England as part of the new National Portfolio fund.

Arts Council England (ACE) announced today (4 November) that the Northampton Museum and Art Gallery has been awarded National Portfolio Organization status by Arts Council England as part of its investment 2023-26.

The museum has received a grant of £450,000 spread over three years and will be used to fund the museum’s ‘Stories from Northamptonshire’ project.

The project will engage groups and communities across Northamptonshire to develop a series of exhibitions, events, books and digital resources examining different aspects of Northamptonshire’s history through objects, architecture, landscapes and experiences personal.

The three-year project, which will focus on working with diverse communities across West Northamptonshire to enable their creativity and provide them with opportunities to enjoy the widest possible range of arts and culture, will culminate in a major exhibition ; A History of Northamptonshire in 100 Objects, which will include augmented reality walkthroughs, digital assets and a series of linked exhibits at locations across Northamptonshire.

We are extremely grateful for the support provided by Arts Council England. This funding will allow us to develop Northampton’s cultural quarter and raise the profile of Northamptonshire’s rich history through a unique collection of exhibits.

We hope this three-year project will help nurture the next generation of cultural and artistic talent and increase opportunities for people from all walks of life. It will also be an opportunity for people to visit Northampton and enjoy the high quality art and heritage that our county has to offer.

Cllr Adam Brown, West Northamptonshire Council Cabinet Member for Housing, Culture and Leisure

To be eligible for the funds, WNC had to demonstrate that it could make a strong contribution to Arts Council England’s Let’s Create strategy. The 10-year vision aims to enable everyone to have high quality cultural experiences in England.

Northampton Museum and Art Gallery and Abington Park Museum share stories of the region’s rich shoemaking heritage, bringing history to life and inspiring the local community.

We are pleased to welcome them to the portfolio over the next three years and hope that these museums and their collections will fascinate, educate and inspire those who visit them.

Peter Knott, Regional Director of Arts Council England

Thanks to this new government funding scheme, which distributes more money to more communities than ever before, people living in areas from Wolverhampton to Wigan and Crawley to Chesterfield will now be able to enjoy the profound economic and social rewards that culture can bring.

We continue to support our icons such as the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Royal Shakespeare Company, but today’s announcement will allow organizations in places too often overlooked to get the support they need to transform the access to the arts for everyone, wherever they live.

Cultural Secretary Michelle Donelan

Find out more about Northampton Museum and Art Gallery