Cannon Hall Museum, Park and Gardens successful in grant application

Cannon Hall Museum, Park and Gardens are delighted to announce that they have been awarded £60,000 from the DCMS/Wolfson Museums and Galleries Improvement Fund 2018-20.

The money will be used in conjunction with the Cracking Ceramics! project, run through previously secured funding from the Esmée Fairbairn Collections Fund and delivered through the Museums Association to create new access and interpretation of the Museum’s outstanding collections.

As part of the Cracking Ceramics! project and through this vital funding, more of the wonderful pieces of pottery by artists such as William De Morgan, Christopher Dresser, Walter Crane and the Martin Brothers, as well as the influential factories of Minton, Doulton and Moorcroft will be able to be seen by visitors to the Museum and displayed in interesting and exciting ways. The three year project funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Collections Fund has enabled the Museum to work with artists and young people to explore new ways of looking at and interpreting different parts of the collections. With the third and final year of the project imminent, this new funding will add the legacy of increasing the volume and quality of display space available for the collection, providing new equipment and resources for audiences of all ages, and will support the introduction of exciting new digital and sensory activities to enhance understanding and enjoyment of the collection.

Cllr Miller, Cabinet Spokesperson for Place said:

We are extremely grateful to receive funding that will be used to display more of Cannon Hall’s wonderful and highly regarded ceramics collection. The money will be used to create different and engaging ways in which visitors will be able to see pieces of art and improve the visitor experience.

Michael Ellis, Minister for Arts, Heritage and Tourism said:

Our museums and galleries are among the best in the world and we are rightly proud of these institutions. The DCMS/Wolfson Fund demonstrates how the government and philanthropic organisations can work together to boost our museum sector. We want people up and down the country to enjoy culture and heritage wherever they are. The 35 grants awarded today will make important contributions towards improving the visitor experience; ensuring our wonderful collections are open to as many people as possible.

Paul Ramsbottom, Chief Executive of the Wolfson Foundation said:

We are delighted to provide this funding through our longstanding partnership with DCMS – an excellent example of how we as a charity can work together fruitfully with government. We are grateful to DCMS for matching our funding. One of the great treasures of this country is the sheer quality and range of our heritage collections – stored and displayed in wonderful museums and galleries. This funding will help to provide even better visitor experiences and greater awareness of these fascinating collections. A particular joy of this funding round has been the impressive mix of the projects supported: from a dress collection at Carlisle’s Tullie House to temporary exhibition space in Falmouth’s National Maritime Museum.