AMBITIOUS plans for a £10million revamp of Rugby Art Gallery and Museum are taking shape.
Rugby Borough Council’s Cabinet has agreed to invest £2million and apply for National Lottery funding towards the proposed redevelopment of the popular Little Elborow Street venue.
The plans, drawn up by award-winning PRS Architects, include a new entrance and frontage, an expanded cafe, a new learning centre, permanent museum galleries, a permanent gallery for the Rugby Collection of contemporary art, expanded storage and meeting spaces, and new toilet facilities.
The plans come in response to a recent review of the venue’s condition and day-to-day operations, which revealed a number of issues which limit its plans to expand its programming and improve the visitor experience – issues echoed by visitors during recent public consultations.
Increased visitor numbers have highlighted a need to improve accessibility throughout the venue, while the limitations of the venue’s educational and community spaces have restricted school visits and workshops.
The plans include a new gallery dedicated to the Rugby Collection of contemporary art.
Other issues include a lack of storage space for the art gallery and museum’s collections, ageing electrical and mechanical systems, and the building’s energy efficiency.
Coun Maggie O’Rourke, the council’s spokesperson for partnerships, health and wellbeing, said Lottery funding held the key to realising the plans.
She said: “Preparing the bid for National Lottery funding has allowed us to reach out to our audiences and beyond to completely reimagine how the building could work, improving accessibility, sustainability and the visitor experience.
“With rising visitor numbers, we want to invest in the future of Rugby Art Gallery and Museum, giving it the opportunity to grow its audience and expand the innovative work which has gained the venue national recognition.
“The council’s allocation of £2million to the redevelopment plans underlines our commitment to the project and, with support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, we hope to secure one of the borough’s cultural jewels for future generations to explore and enjoy.”
If the plans are backed by full council at a meeting on Wednesday July 15, the council will submit an ‘expression of interest’ to the National Lottery Heritage Fund within weeks.
The council’s £2 million allocation to the plans relies on a successful bid for Lottery funding.
Should the expression of interest in the Lottery grant prove successful, the council intends to submit detailed development plans within six months – and if development plans are approved by the Lottery, the council will then submit the full application for funding.
Coun Neil Sandison, the council’s Liberal Democrat spokesperson for partnerships, health and wellbeing, said: “The redevelopment plans address one of the key issues with the current layout of the venue – accessibility.
“Improving accessibility and making better use of the internal space should make a real difference for all visitors, and give Rugby Art Gallery and Museum the facilities it needs for the future.”
Rugby Art Gallery and Museum opened its doors in 2000 and attracts more than 100,000 visitors a year through its exhibition, education, family and community programmes.
Accredited by Arts Council England, the venue has cemented its status as the borough’s cultural hub, housing the Rugby Collection of contemporary art and the treasure trove of artefacts excavated from the Roman town of Tripontium.
