In brief | Latest news, moves and projects in the sector

Hackney wins lottery grant for museum revamp

Hackney Council has secured a £2.2m grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to redesign and modernise Hackney Museum.

The museum will close later this year with a reopening planned for early 2027.

The aim of the redevelopment is to create a more dynamic and inclusive space for residents. Local community groups and organisations will play a key role in shaping the redevelopment, contributing ideas towards permanent and temporary exhibitions, digital content, and skills development programmes.

The new permanent exhibition at the museum will highlight how the local area has been shaped by 300,000 years of migration and settlement.

Alongside the redesign and redisplay of the permanent exhibition, other significant changes will include a new visitor reception, two temporary exhibition areas, a redeveloped community room, improved shop, events and teaching spaces, and enhanced digital resources. 

Exhibition design is by GuM Studio, a sister company of Pringle Richards Sharratt Architects, who specialise in conservation and heritage projects.

Glasgow Life recruits chief executive

Glasgow Life, the charity that runs museums in Glasgow, has appointed Kay Morrison as its new chief executive.

Morrison joins from South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture (SLLC), where she is the chief executive. She was previously chief executive of Falkirk Foundation, the official charity partner of Falkirk Football Club.

Morrison will start work on 7 July, replacing Susan Deighan, who helped create Glasgow Life in 2007 and is retiring after more than 30 years working on cultural, sport and tourism roles in the city.

Glasgow Life’s museums include Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Gallery of Modern Art, Riverside Museum, St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art and the recently redeveloped Burrell Collection.

Glasgow Life also manages sports venues, libraries and events in the city.

Design Museum partners with Shenzhen cultural venue

London’s Design Museum has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Shenzhen Culture Square, a new arts venue in Shenzhen, China, that is opening in autumn.

As part of this partnership, the Design Museum will present A Century of Chairs as the opening exhibition at Shenzhen Culture Square.

“We’re excited to be collaborating with Shenzhen Culture Square over the next three years,” said Design Museum deputy director Josephine Chanter.

“Moments like this don’t happen overnight – they’re shaped by a long history of relationship building and collaboration. The Design Museum’s global outlook can be traced all the way back to Terence Conran’s pioneering vision, a magpie-like curiosity that drew inspiration from around the world. Our new partnership in Shenzhen is the next step in this journey, aligning with our mission to be a global hub for design and to foster design, creativity, and cultural exchange across borders.”

Liverpool Biennial appoints new chair

The Liverpool Biennial of contemporary art, which takes place 7 June to 14 September 2025, has appointed Cathryn Wright as its chair of trustees. 

Wright takes over in September from Kathleen Soriano, who has worked at wide range of arts venues, including the National Portrait Gallery, the Royal Academy of Arts and Compton Verney Art Gallery in Warwickshire.

Wright is currently managing director of finance firm Sedulo and has previously held senior management positions in the not-for-profit sector, including national equality charity Stonewall.

IWM to develop sustainable aviation centre at Duxford

Imperial War Museums (IWM) and Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge, have announced the selection of HBD, part of Henry Boot, as the preferred development partner for Duxford AvTech – a new centre for the next generation of sustainable aviation at IWM Duxford.

Located on the west side of IWM Duxford, Duxford AvTech will be the UK’s new hub for developing low- and zero-carbon aircraft technology. This 450,000 sq ft development will focus on aviation technologies to support advanced air mobility (AAM).

With the growing AAM market, Duxford AvTech is expected to generate significant economic, environmental and social benefits as well as support a sustainable future for IWM Duxford.

Export bars

Export bars have been placed on two paintings of the island of St Vincent by 18th century artist Agostino Brunias.

Both paintings depict the island through the lens of the British empire, with one showing the signing of a treaty and the other a representation of Indigenous life.

The decision on the export licence applications for both paintings will be deferred for a period ending on 15 July 2025. At the end of the first deferral period, owners will have a consideration period of 15 business days to consider any offers to purchase one or both the paintings.

Sir William Young Conducting a Treaty with the Black Caribs on the Island of St Vincent is set at the recommended price of £240,000 (plus VAT of £8,000). The second deferral period will commence following the signing of an option agreement and will last for three months.

A family of Charaibes in the Island of St Vincent is set at the recommended price of £180,000 (plus VAT of £6,000). The second deferral period will commence following the signing of an option agreement and will last for three months.