Exeter and Plymouth celebrate major grant
25 January 2012
A partnership between the peninsula’s principal cities, Exeter and Plymouth, has resulted in the two being recognised by the Arts Council England’s Renaissance Major Grants Programme. Exeter and Plymouth join 15 otherm major partners who will together receive approximately £20 million a year in funding for the next three years.
The award is aimed at driving the development and delivery of excellence in museums, reaching out to more people and supporting innovation.
Cllr Greg Sheldon, Exeter City Council's Lead Councillor for Environment and Leisure, said the award was testament to RAMM's position as one of the leading regional museums in the UK. "It comes as no surprise that Exeter is listed among 16 of the country's best museums. This proves that Exeter is able to punch well and truly above its own weight.
"This is a wonderful accolade for the RAMM, after its successful reopening just over a month ago, following a multi-million pound redevelopment. Since reopening, more than 60,000 people have visited the now world class museum and this latest funding will allow RAMM to continue to flourish and attract and entertain our visitors."
Cllr Glenn Jordan, Plymouth City Council's Cabinet Member for Community Services (Safer and Stronger Communities and Leisure, Culture and Sport) said the award also recognised the innovative work that Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery has undertaken in recent years.
"Everyone is delighted with the news and it's well deserved especially after recent successes such as Plymouth hosting the prestigious British Art Show - an ambitious and influential exhibition of contemporary British art which only visited four major cities in the UK and had over 75,000 visits while it was in the City.
"This award really validates the hard work and ambition of the staff at the Museum and Art Gallery and means that it can continue to provide the excellent services and programmes that it offers. All this, plus the work of the RAMM in Exeter makes this award a real coup for Devon."
