Arts funding birthday boost to museum and art gallery

Buxton Museum and Art Gallery is teaming up with a group of artists to celebrate its 125th birthday.

The 12-month project, called BM125, is funded by a National Lottery grant of just over £70,000 from Arts Council England and will see artists exploring the museum’s collection for inspiration.

Contemporary artists will use outdoor performances to connect museum collections with the Derbyshire landscape.

Digital technology will also play its part, with works being digitised and added to the museum’s Wonders of the Peak website.

Throughout the project, a programme of artist led events will run at the museum and across the Peak District.

The project aims to reach 125,000 people at the museum, in the landscape, online or through broadcast media.

There will be a particular emphasis on engaging people aged under 25 to inspire the next generation of artists and museum visitors.

The project has attracted a range of artists including Kidology Arts, comprising visual artist Richard Johnson and composer and musician Amanda Johnson.

Joining the husband and wife team in the line-up will be digital artist Will Hurt, visual artist and filmmaker Sean Harris, writer and photographer Rob Young and the Chameleon Dance Company led by Kevin Turner.

Completing the line-up is Gordon MacLellan of Creeping Toad, who will lead the events programme.

Derbyshire County Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategic Leadership, Culture and Tourism, Councillor Barry Lewis, said:

“This is a very exciting project and it is excellent that so many talented and creative people are working with the Buxton Museum and Art Gallery.

“Their work will no doubt attract even more visitors to the museum and art gallery and highlight what it has to offer to an even wider audience.

“We welcome the funding from Arts Council England which has made this innovative project possible, and I look forward to seeing the results.”

Area Director for Arts Council England Peter Knott said:

“Great art, culture and museums allow people to explore the past, present and future, looking at where they live and who they are, connecting individuals and communities in really unique ways, and in this case helping people to discover new things.

“As Buxton Museum and Art Gallery celebrates its 125th birthday, it is great to see National Lottery funding helping its collections inspire artists to create live outdoor performances, giving more people the chance to experience great art and culture in Derbyshire and beyond.”

Buxton Museum and Art Gallery in Terrace Road, is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm and on Sundays and bank holidays (Easter to September only) from noon to 4pm.

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