Catalyst to receive funding from Arts Council England
Awarded £312,499.00 from the MEND fund
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.
he 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’.