Lifeline will help museum survive and thrive!
Bottle oven that tells story of ex-pottery factory secures recovery funds
AN ICONIC Stoke-on-trent museum has secured funding to help it survive lockdown and reopen when restrictions are lifted.
The Dudson Museum has received £18,900 from the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund.
Nearly £400 million has been awarded to thousands of cultural organisations across the country in the latest round of support.
This funding will enable staff at The Dudson Museum to continue to work while it is required to remain closed.
This will enable the museum to continue to put in place plans for new ways of operating, and to develop the visitor experience in order to secure the future of the museum.
Funding previously received in the first round helped the museum to develop a brand-new interactive, Dudson Museum website which delves into the history of the museum together with, latest news, exciting events, and a new virtual tour feature.
The Dudson Museum is based in Hanley, forming part of The Dudson Centre which was created in 1999 when the original Dudson Factory site, which dates back to 1809, was regenerated by a range of private and public sector partners.
It is housed in a Grade ll listed bottle oven and reflects the heritage of the iconic Dudson brand, which continued to produce ceramic tableware at its factory in Tunstall until April 2019 when it collapsed into administration with the loss of 318 jobs.
Curator of The Dudson Museum, Alison Morgan, said: “As we look forward with optimism to the relaxation of restrictions, this crucial funding will support us through the weeks to come, ensuring that visitors are once again able to not only enjoy the treasures within.
“But also be able to take advantage of our new initiatives and plans for increased interactive activities for all age groups.
“This additional funding will help our continuance as the light at the end of the tunnel gets brighter and also help us to develop and grow.”
Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden, left, said: “Our record-breaking Culture Recovery Fund has already helped thousands of organisations across the country survive the biggest crisis they’ve ever faced.
“Now we’re staying by their side as they prepare to welcome the public back through their doors helping our cultural gems plan for reopening and thrive in the better times ahead.”
Ros Kerslake, CEO of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “Spring is definitely here, bringing that sense of optimism and hope for the future.
“We are all looking forward to heritage places and other visitor attractions reopening and I am very pleased that we have been able to support DCMS in delivering this vital funding to ensure the UK’S heritage sector can rebuild and thrive, boosting local economies, creating jobs and supporting personal wellbeing.”
Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive of Historic England, left, said: “The value of our heritage sites and the people who run them has been amply demonstrated, as they have provided an anchor for so many of us through the dark days of the last year.
“These vital grants have helped them survive and will now help them recover, as the places we all cherish start to reopen in the months ahead.”
The funding awarded is from a £400 million pot which was held back last year to ensure the Culture Recovery Fund could continue to help organisations in need. The funding has been awarded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England as well as the British Film Institute and Arts Council England.
To find out more about the museum visit the Dudson Centre website or get in touch via dudsonmuseum@vast.org.uk