National Media Museum outlines five-year vision
Plan includes bringing commercial cinema partner on board
Jo Quinton-Tulloch, the director of the National Media Museum in Bradford, has outlined her five-year plan for a sustainable future of the museum following the venue being earmarked for closure by the Science Museum Group earlier this year.
The proposals include creating two new permanent galleries and a single temporary exhibition space. The museum is also looking to bring in a commercial cinema partner to run its IMAX screens.
The vision, which follows consultation with staff, stakeholders and the public, includes revamping the lobby, entrances and circulation of the building and reorganising collections storage and staff offices.
In a statement, the museum said its consultation had helped shape the strategy to deliver on its updated mission, “to explore the science, technology and art of the still and moving image, and its impact on people’s lives”.
The vision requires significant investment, and the museum will now carry out feasibility studies and develop a fundraising strategy.
Earlier this year the Science Museum Group said it would have to close one of its northern sites if a 10% cut proposed under the government’s spending review went ahead. A subsequent culture, media and sport select committee inquiry into the future of the group revealed that the National Media Museum had been earmarked for closure.
The group has now committed to keeping all its sites open but is undertaking an efficiency study to find savings.
Quinton-Tulloch said: "I believe we have a compelling vision, but I also want to be candid. These ambitions can only be realised if our partners are able to support us with significant investment, so last week's Autumn Statement, which worsened our financial predicament, was a blow.
"We need to work with our partners to find a sustainable long-term model – with new sources of investment as well as reduced operating costs."
The proposals include creating two new permanent galleries and a single temporary exhibition space. The museum is also looking to bring in a commercial cinema partner to run its IMAX screens.
The vision, which follows consultation with staff, stakeholders and the public, includes revamping the lobby, entrances and circulation of the building and reorganising collections storage and staff offices.
In a statement, the museum said its consultation had helped shape the strategy to deliver on its updated mission, “to explore the science, technology and art of the still and moving image, and its impact on people’s lives”.
The vision requires significant investment, and the museum will now carry out feasibility studies and develop a fundraising strategy.
Earlier this year the Science Museum Group said it would have to close one of its northern sites if a 10% cut proposed under the government’s spending review went ahead. A subsequent culture, media and sport select committee inquiry into the future of the group revealed that the National Media Museum had been earmarked for closure.
The group has now committed to keeping all its sites open but is undertaking an efficiency study to find savings.
Quinton-Tulloch said: "I believe we have a compelling vision, but I also want to be candid. These ambitions can only be realised if our partners are able to support us with significant investment, so last week's Autumn Statement, which worsened our financial predicament, was a blow.
"We need to work with our partners to find a sustainable long-term model – with new sources of investment as well as reduced operating costs."