After-hours events and hot-ticket debates aimed at young people
and young adults will be programmed at the transformed National
Museum of Scotland in its opening year thanks to a major new
partnership with RBS.
The £46.4 million transformation of the National Museum of
Scotland is nearing completion and will re-open to the public on 29
July. National Museums Scotland and RBS will work together to
bring collections and exhibitions to the public in new and
innovative ways.
The programme will include the RBS Museum Lates – a series of
evening openings with live performances, one-off displays and
installations, special guests, cutting-edge fashion and design,
music and extended exhibition hours. Debates and speaker-led
events with internationally renowned names that will be a draw for
young people will also be programmed. These events will be
extended to a much wider audience through digital programmes and
social media.
Gordon Rintoul, Director of National Museums Scotland said:
“We are delighted to announce this innovative programme of
events for young people and young adults in partnership with RBS.
The spectacular redevelopment of the museum provides an opportunity
to expand the range of events we offer alongside dramatic new
displays. This is the first in a series of innovative
programmes which will inspire and engage new audiences.
“Our collections celebrate huge achievements in the arts,
culture, business and science worldwide and the legacy of Scots who
were driven by a passion for exploration, discovery and
invention. Through these new informal event programmes, we
aim to inspire young people today to develop a greater
understanding of the world around them.”
The revitalised museum will present Scotland’s great collections
to a national and international audience, underlining the role
which Scots have played across the world and reflecting the
confidence of a modern and ambitious Scotland.
Sir Philip Hampton, Chairman of the RBS Group said:
“We are delighted to be joining forces with the National Museums
of Scotland. RBS has a Scottish heritage going back almost 300
years so it is natural that we should be supporting this great
institution. We have changed the way we do sponsorship and
are working much more in partnership with organisations to ensure
maximum community benefit. Through this collaboration with the
National Museums of Scotland we are aiming to encourage people of
all ages to learn about Scotland’s history and Scotland’s
contribution to the world. The redevelopment of the Museum will
transform this wonderful Scottish asset into one of the world’s
great museums and RBS is very proud to be a partner.”
When the museum re-opens, a radical transformation will be
unveiled – returning one of the UK’s finest Victorian buildings to
its former glory, and displaying fascinating collections presented
in dramatic and engaging ways. Sixteen new galleries will reveal
over 8,000 objects, 80% of which will be displayed for the first
time in generations. There will also be two hands-on discovery
centres, a major gallery to host international blockbuster
exhibitions and a three storey learning centre which will be a
focal point for a wide range of programmes for visitors of all
ages.
Fundraising for the project was completed last month, exceeding
its goal by almost £1 million. The announcement of the RBS
partnership continues this investment in support of the Museum’s
ongoing success and development.
Notes to Editors
1. The £46.4 million redevelopment at the National Museum of
Scotland was jointly funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund (£17.8
million), and the Scottish Government (£16 million), with a further
£13.6 million from private sources.
2. The transformation project is the centrepiece of an ambitious
£70 million Masterplan to redevelop the museum on Chambers Street,
which was announced in 2004. The Museum is now actively planning
the final stage of the Masterplan, which focuses on developing a
further 11 vibrant and engaging galleries to complete the overall
vision by 2020.
3. National Museums Scotland is one of the largest
multi-disciplinary museum groups in the UK, with four million items
in its collections and a large body of curatorial and conservation
expertise. Its museums are:
- National Museum of Scotland
- National Museum of Flight
- National War Museum
- National Museum of Rural Life
- National Museum of Costume.
28 June 2011
For more information or images, please contact Hannah
Dolby or Bruce Blacklaw, Press Office, Tel 0300 123 6789 or email
h.dolby@nms.ac.uk