Efforts to make the revamped Harris Museum and Art Gallery more inclusive have taken a step forward.
The Harris has announced the appointment of Disability Equality North West as a ‘critical friend’.
The role sees the organisation ensure the needs and voices of the disabled community are recognised by the Harris.
Read more: Heritage workshops being run by the Harris on the Flag Market
Melanie Close, from Disability Equality NW, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been chosen as the Harris Critical Friend. This work aligns with our strategic aims as identified by local disabled people.
“The Harris holds a special place in the hearts of disabled individuals across the city and county, and our longstanding relationship with the Harris building and its staff dates back to our inception in 1996. We eagerly anticipate further developing this collaboration leading up to its reopening and well into the future.”
The Harris is currently closed until 2024 and is undergoing a major revamp with significant lottery funding being pumped into the building.
Cabinet member for arts and culture at Preston City Council councillor Peter Kelly said: “We are thrilled to launch these community-driven initiatives, which embody our core values of inclusivity and empowerment. By actively engaging with our community and celebrating diversity in all its forms, we hope to inspire change, challenge stereotypes, and create a more inclusive organisation at The Harris.”
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