Two national foundations have invested £450,000 into The Harris to help fund an ongoing refurb project.
Provided by The Weston Foundation and the Wolfson Foundation, two grants will build on the existing £10.02m ‘Harris Your Place’ capital project, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The grants will support additional works to the second-floor galleries of The Harris, helping to realise the ambitions for the project.
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Councillor Peter Kelly, Cabinet member for culture and arts at Preston City Council, said: “Preston City Council’s Harris team are delighted that these generous grants have been awarded.
“Their support will enhance Harris Your Place with additional funds to complete works to the second-floor galleries of the Harris and help realise our ambition to reach new audiences and have more of our collections on show.
“The ambitious scheme forms part of the wider Towns Fund projects, aiming to breathe new life into some of the Harris Quarter’s heritage assets, key buildings and open spaces to create a diverse culture, leisure and employment offering for Preston.”
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The new-look Harris is closed for capital works to get underway and re-opens in spring 2024, with historic entrances opened, visitor facilities upgraded, and accessibility improved throughout the building, providing accessible and welcoming spaces.
The Harris collections and displays will offer stories across three floors on The Harris, Preston, and beyond.
The grants are pending council approval and will contribute to the capital project and a cultural institution within Preston and Lancashire.
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The Garfield Weston Foundation award went to the Friends of the Harris, the charity supporting the museum, and the award from the Wolfson Foundation went to Preston City Council, who own and manage the Harris.
Greta Krypczyk-Oddy, Chair of Friends of the Harris, said: “This is great news for the Harris and a significant contribution towards achieving the aims of Harris Your Place.
“Friends of the Harris is very proud to support its, and these grants from two national trusts and foundations will help to revitalise this historic building for generations to come.”
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The council thanked the foundations for their support.
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