Visitor experience improvements: New entrance project works from 3 March until mid-April 2009
Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum has announced plans to enhance its visitor experience, access and safety by improving its main entrance space, (sited through the museum garden and accessed from East Cliff Promenade). The works will run from 3 March until mid-April. During this time access to the Museum will be via a temporary entrance on Russell-Cotes Road.
The project will deliver a value-for-money and functional design, providing an accessible and fit-for-purpose main entrance, a new visitor welcome and orientation area, a new and attractive retail space and an integrated signage scheme. The new space will improve visitor flow and prevent ‘bottlenecks’. There will also be improved storage space for visitors’ push chairs and rucksacks.
The completion of the project will improve the experience for the Museum’s 90,000 visitors each year, giving a sense of ‘arrival’, a sense of place and visual impact as well as improving security and safety.
The new retail area, which will be on the ground floor, will be stocked with a range of quality merchandise including gifts, postcards, books and reproduction artwork, relating to the museum and its collections.
The plans have been designed by Simon Fenn, the Museum and Heritage design specialist based in Bristol.
This project is part funded by Renaissance South West, the MLA’s (Museums, Libraries and Archives Council) ground-breaking programme to transform England’s regional museums for the 21st Century.
Whilst the project work is being carried out, all access to the Museum is by a temporary entrance on Russell-Cotes Road. Access avoiding stairs can be arranged, people should ask at the temporary reception or telephone 01202 451858.
Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum is open daily 10am - 5pm Tuesday - Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays (closed Good Friday & Christmas Day) at Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum, Russell-Cotes Road, East Cliff, Bournemouth, BH1 3AA. T: +44 (0)1202 451 858. www.russell-cotes.bournemouth.gov.uk
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. Renaissance: The Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum is one of five museums in the South West benefiting from Government funding under the Renaissance programme. Renaissance is the Museums, Libraries and Archives (MLA) Council’s £150million programme to transform England's regional museums. For the first time ever, investment from central government is helping regional museums across the country to raise their standards and deliver real results in support of education, learning, community development and economic regeneration. A network of 'Hubs' has been set up in each English region to act as flagship museums and help promote good practice. Alongside the Hubs, MLA Regional Agencies and Museum Development Officers are providing advice and support, Subject Specialist Networks have been set up, and national museums are sharing their skills and collections to ensure Renaissance benefits the entire museums sector. Renaissance is helping museums to meet people's changing needs - and to change people's lives.
2. Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum in Bournemouth is a dramatic experience for many visitors. The exuberance and variety of styles found within the building creates a unique atmosphere that is a mixture of both private house and public museum. Created by two dedicated collectors, the Russell-Cotes is a museum of national importance.
3. Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays (closed Good Friday & Christmas Day), from 10am – 5pm and is at Russell Cotes Road, East Cliff, Bournemouth, BH1 3AA, UK. T. +44 (0)1202 451 858.
4. Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum is a registered charity (no. 306288).
For press enquiries & images
Please contact:
Kerry Curtis, Marketing & Audience Development Manager,
Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum:
T. +44 (0)1202 451823
E. Kerry.Curtis@bournemouth.gov.uk
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