Major Art Fund Donation to Galloway Hoard Campaign as Public Appeal is Launched
#SaveTheHoard
The campaign to raise the £1.98 million required to save the Galloway Hoard for the nation has received a significant boost thanks to a funding contribution of £400,000 from Art Fund. The generous donation takes the campaign to secure the hoard - the richest collection of rare and unique Viking-age objects ever found in Britain or Ireland - to the half-way point.
The contribution comes as National Museums Scotland launches a public fundraising campaign to help reach their target. Through the Treasure Trove system, National Museums Scotland was given six months in which to raise the £1.98 million required to save the hoard for the nation. With just over two months of the fundraising campaign remaining, the public appeal aims to raise £200,000 towards the final target.
Dr Gordon Rintoul, Director of National Museums Scotland said,
“We have been delighted by the response to this opportunity to secure this unique hoard of Viking-age treasure. We are grateful to Art Fund for their generous support, and we have received numerous pledges and donations from trusts and individuals. However, we still have some way to go to meet our target of just under £2 million. With just two months left to raise the necessary funds we are appealing to the public to help us secure this exceptional treasure and enable as many people as possible to enjoy it now and in the future.”
Dr Stephen Deuchar, Director of Art Fund said,
“The Galloway Hoard will fundamentally shift our understanding of Viking-age Scotland, and shine new light on connections between Scotland and its European neighbours. We're delighted to be supporting National Museums Scotland as they endeavour to raise the funds necessary to save this peerless hoard, and to be contributing to its acquisition. I encourage the public to do all it can to support the campaign to keep this extraordinary collection in Scotland, its perfect home.”
The Galloway Hoard is an unparalleled find of Viking-age gold, silver and jewelled treasures. It is the richest collection of rare and unique Viking-age objects ever found in Britain or Ireland. Of international significance, it will transform our understanding of this period of Scottish history. Uncovered by a metal detectorist in Dumfries and Galloway, the hoard comprises in excess of 100 gold, silver and other Viking-age items. It was buried at the beginning of the tenth century, although some of the items within the hoard date from an earlier period.
Acquisition by National Museums Scotland will save the hoard for the nation for the long term and ensure that it is seen by the maximum number of people, from Scotland, the UK and internationally.
A selection of items from this unparalleled find is currently on temporary display at the National Museum of Scotland. The items are on loan from the Queen’s and Lord Treasurer’s Remembrancer (QLTR) and give visitors a first glimpse of this unique hoard.
Donations to save the hoard can be made by:
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Visiting www.nms.ac.uk/hoard or calling 0131 247 4294
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Via post, by sending donations to Galloway Hoard Appeal, National Museums Scotland, FREEPOST EH2842, Edinburgh, EH1 0AR. Cheques should be made payable to “National Museums Scotland”.
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Via SMS: Text HOARD to 70660 to donate £5 (UK mobiles only). National Museums Scotland receives 100% of the donation. Texts cost £5 plus the standard network charge. Please obtain bill payer’s permission.
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Via the Galloway Hoard donation boxes in the National Museum of Scotland
Further information and images from Susan Gray, National Museums Scotland Press Office on 0131 247 4088 or email s.gray@nms.ac.uk.
Notes to editors
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The Galloway Hoard is an unparalleled treasure hoard of Viking-age gold, silver and other items bringing together the richest collection of rare and unique Viking-age objects ever found in Britain or Ireland. It comprises in excess of 100 gold, silver and other items which were buried at the beginning of the tenth century. Some of the items within the Hoard date from an earlier period – dating back over two centuries. In addition, there are several other parcels within the Hoard containing an outstanding range of exceptional precious metal and jewelled items including a rare gold ingot, a gold bird-shaped pin and a decorated silver-gilt cup of Continental or Byzantine origin.
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National Museums Scotland is one of the leading museum groups in the UK and Europe and it looks after collections of national and international importance. The organisation provides loans, partnerships, research and training in Scotland and internationally. Our individual museums are the National Museum of Scotland, the National Museum of Flight, the National Museum of Rural Life and the National War Museum. The National Museums Collection Centre in Edinburgh houses conservation and research facilities as well as collections not currently on display.
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Twitter: @NtlMuseumsScot
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Facebook: www.facebook.com/NationalMuseumsScotland
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Instagram: @NationalMuseumsScotland
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Art Fund is the national fundraising charity for art. In the past five years alone Art Fund has given £34 million to help museums and galleries acquire works of art for their collections. It works with over 700 museums and galleries across the UK and helps museums share their collections with wider audiences by supporting a range of tours and exhibitions, including ARTIST ROOMS, and makes additional grants to support the training and professional development of curators. Art Fund is independently funded, with the core of its income provided by 123,000 members who receive the National Art Pass and enjoy free entry to over 240 museums, galleries and historic places across the UK, as well as 50% off entry to major exhibitions. In addition to grant-giving, Art Fund’s support for museums includes the annual Art Fund Museum of the Year (won by The Hepworth Wakefield, in 2017), a publications programme and a range of digital platforms.
Find out more about Art Fund and the National Art Pass at www.artfund.org