Stuart Anderson, South Shropshire’s Conservatives Parliamentary Candidate, is calling on museums across the county to apply for funding available to undertake vital infrastructure and urgent maintenance projects. The Government has announced a £24 million boost for the sector through the Museum Estate and Development Fund (MEND), a flagship capital maintenance scheme to support museum projects. Museums are being invited to apply for grants of between £50,000 and £5 million.
Stuart welcomed the latest investment of £23.8 million, which enables museums across England to undertake vital maintenance, infrastructure, and service upgrades. It can include making important renovations, replacing boilers and environmental systems with more sustainable and efficient alternatives, and bringing empty spaces back into use. Since being launched in 2021, 67 projects across England have received over £40 million from the first two rounds of the fund – with extra grants totalling another £22.6 million from Round 3 due to be announced this Spring.
The £86.6 million Fund is part of the Government’s long-term plan to support local economic growth and will support capital projects at museums, funding important repairs and helping to improve the visitor experience. By undertaking these projects, the Fund can also help museums to become more financially resilient and environmentally responsible - as well as to improve access for people with disabilities and those with diverse user needs.
Stuart Anderson said: “With so much heritage on our doorstep, it is important that museums are supported to keep telling our county’s history. That’s why I am delighted that the Government has announced an extra £24 million to help them enrich their offer to local communities by undertaking upgrades and developments. This can enable our cherished museums to become more financially resilient, environmentally responsible, and improve access for those with diverse needs - ensuring local treasures are restored and preserved for all to enjoy. I would call on all eligible museums across Shropshire to apply for this funding.”
Arts and Heritage Minister Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay said: “Museums across the country form the heart of their community, helping people to learn about our shared heritage, and attracting tourists to the local area. Over the past two years I’ve been delighted to see how this fund has provided vital support to museums across the country, enabling them to improve their buildings and share their wonderful collections with a wider audience. The additional funding we are announcing will mean that even more museums can fund major infrastructure projects, demonstrating the Government’s strong commitment to supporting culture and making sure that everyone has access to brilliant arts and heritage, no matter where they live.”
Arts Council England accredited museums in England that are not directly funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and local authorities can apply for funding to undertake vital infrastructure and urgent maintenance backlogs which are beyond the scope of day-to-day maintenance budgets. Arts Council England, which delivers this fund on behalf of DCMS, has published information for those considering making an application at: https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/our-open-funds/cultural-investment-fund. The online portal to register expressions of interest opens on 4 March 2024.
