- Brunel Museum among 66 cultural organisations across the country to benefit from a share of over £22.7 million from Arts Council England’s Capital Investment Programme
- This award will ensure the Brunel Museum is fully accessible and welcoming to all visitors
Brunel Museum in Southwark has received a grant of £135, 674 from Arts Council England’s Capital Investment Programme.
The Brunel Museum is an independent museum on the site of the Thames Tunnel, the first successful underwater tunnel in the world. The tunnel was designed by Marc Brunel and his son Isambard Kingdom Brunel – a father and son duo who changed the world. Welcoming new audiences and being environmentally responsible is at the heart of the building project. Funding will enable the Museum to make vital building updates to ensure it is fully accessible, as well as create improved gallery spaces for the display of the Thames Tunnel watercolours.
As part of these 2021-22 and 2022-23 grants, over £22.7 million has been awarded to 66 cultural organisations across the country, including Brunel Museum. The Capital Investment Programme aims to help cultural organisations across the country transform their buildings and equipment so they can operate safely post-pandemic, improve access, seize technological opportunities, and reduce environmental impact. From Barrow-in-Furness to The Isles of Scilly, the organisations receiving funding share a vision to build a fit for the future cultural sector, which all members of their communities can access.
Darren Henley, Chief Executive, Arts Council England said “World class creativity and culture needs a resilient and sustainable infrastructure to allow it to flourish. With these investments in the buildings, equipment, and digital systems of cultural organisations across England, we are helping to secure the future of that infrastructure, and making sure that people from every part of the country can continue enjoying all the benefits it delivers for years to come.”
Katherine McAlpine, Director Brunel Museum, said “This investment in our site means that we’ll be able to offer a much better experience to so many more people. We can’t wait to share the story of the Thames Tunnel with even more people in future.”