With only weeks to go before work starts on the £46.4 million redevelopment of the Royal Museum building in Chambers Street, Edinburgh, National Museums Scotland is already more than halfway towards its final £12 million fundraising target.
The Royal Museum Project will transform the iconic Victorian building into a world-class visitor experience with more objects on display, increased educational facilities and new galleries and exhibitions. The project is jointly funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund (£17.8 million), and the Scottish Government (£16 million), with a requirement to raise a further £12 million from private sources to bridge the funding gap to enable the project to be completed in mid 2011. Thanks to support from a number of individual donors, trusts and the National Museums' biggest-ever legacy announced recently, the fundraising target has reached over £6 million before work even begins.
Commenting on the success, Dr Gordon Rintoul, Director, National Museums Scotland, said: "The Royal Museum Project aims to transform our largest national museum site into a 'must-see' destination for visitors from Scotland and the rest of the world. We are very grateful to those who have shared in our vision so early in the programme by offering their generous commitment and welcome the future support of others. We are confident that we will go on to achieve our target within our timescale."
Minister for Culture Linda Fabiani added: "The Royal Museum Project is an inspiring initiative and I am delighted to see such strong support from a variety of organisations and individuals. This project is very much in line with the cultural renaissance we are experiencing in Scotland and I look forward to its progress over the coming years."
Colin McLean, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Scotland, said: "I am delighted that this very ambitious project to redevelop and enhance the appeal of the Royal Museum has started. The Heritage Lottery Fund invests in a wide range of projects to conserve our heritage and ensure that this and further generations can continue to enjoy and learn from it. That the project has reached this point is a testimony to all involved in creating and supporting it."
The success has been made possible through support from many individual donors, trusts and foundations. The museum recently received its biggest ever legacy from Miss Adèle Stewart, a member of its Patrons scheme, and £1.5 million of this bequest will support the Royal Museum Project. Other major donations include the Wolfson Foundation, the Gannochy Trust, The Garfield Weston Foundation, the Dunard Fund, The Robertson Trust and the Binks Trust.
Over the next three years, National Museums Scotland will continue to work with individuals, trusts, foundations and the corporate sector to secure the remaining funds to complete this important project. A public fundraising campaign will be launched later in the development period to enable visitors from near and far to offer their support.
Ends.
Notes to Editors
For further information, please contact:
Anne McMunn or Charlotte Rowland
CM Porter Novelli
Tel: 0131 470 3400
anne.mcmunn@porternovelli.co.uk