Museums Worcestershire has been awarded £96,454 as part of the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund (CRF) to help face the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic and to ensure it has a sustainable future.

County councillor Lucy Hodgson, chair of the Joint Museums Committee, said: “We are incredibly grateful for this lifeline for our excellent museums service.

“Museums Worcestershire is committed to supporting our communities, visitors, and partner heritage organisations.

“The funding will enable our museums to transform rapidly; rebuilding our community participation and our earned income to make the service more diverse and resilient moving forwards. Importantly, it will enable our visitors to continue enjoying the art and heritage they know and love.”

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Museums Worcestershire is one of 1,385 cultural and creative organisations across the country receiving urgently needed support. £257 million of investment has been announced as part of the very first round of the Culture Recovery Fund grants programme being administered by Arts Council England. Further rounds of funding in the cultural and heritage sector are due to be announced over the coming weeks.

Museums Worcestershire is the joint museum service of Worcester City and Worcestershire County Councils. It comprises three fantastic venues– Worcester City Art Gallery & Museum, The Commandery in Worcester, and The County Museum at Hartlebury Castle. Last year the three museums attracted more than 100,000 visitors and delivered £1.5m into the local visitor economy.

The museums work across Worcestershire’s communities, including providing moments of connection for those living with dementia, for looked-after children and during lockdown, those at risk of social isolation. The funding will equip the learning team to engage with schools and communities.