The new home for Swindon’s nationally-recognised collection of modern and contemporary art, as well as artefacts telling Swindon’s extensive history from the Jurassic period to modern day, is on track to be completed in the spring.
Representatives from local arts and culture groups were joined by the Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire, Mrs Sarah Rose Troughton, Swindon Borough Council Leader, Councillor Jim Robbins, and Councillor Marina Strinkovsky, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Arts, Culture and Heritage, at a special behind-the-scenes look at the new exhibition spaces on the first floor of the Civic Offices in Euclid Street on 18 March.
The museum has moved from Apsley House in Old Town to the Civic Offices in order to make the Council’s collection of artwork and artefacts more accessible to more people. It has also been given a new name, Museum and Art Swindon, as it enters a new phase of showcasing the Borough’s amazing artworks and artefacts.
When complete, the Civic Offices will provide around 40 per cent more display space compared to its previous home at Apsley House.
The new venue will also provide improved working conditions and additional areas for staff, volunteers and researchers, presenting an opportunity to restart the museum and art gallery’s volunteer programme.
A space will be developed as a schools learning and lunchroom, which will also be used to host museum events, especially those aimed at families and focusing on the museum and art gallery’s extensive collections.
Along with the behind-the-scenes event, the new website for Museum and Art Swindon was launched. The new online presence will give more detail about the museum and its collections as well as opening times and updates for the museum itself.
Those also wishing to stay up to date with the progress of the museum and, when it’s open, any upcoming events and updates, can subscribe to the dedicated Museum and Art Swindon newsletter.
Councillor Marina Strinkovsky, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Heritage, Art and Culture, said: “It’s hugely exciting to see the new museum and gallery so close to completion.
“It’s been a long and difficult road to get to this position but I’d like to thank the project team for their hard work in getting all the complex building work complete and in a position where we can now begin the fit-out of this new home for brilliant collections.
“When it’s open, I hope everyone gets the chance to see the new space and explore Swindon’s amazing history. From the dinosaurs all the way up to the railways, there’s something that I’m sure will interest everyone.”
Lord-Lieutenant of Wiltshire, Mrs Sarah Rose Troughton, said: “I am absolutely delighted to see Swindon’s legendary collection of Modern British Art in the Council building, will be open to all.
“Sir Kenneth Clark, when chairman of the Arts Council, said ‘they take art seriously in Swindon’, and indeed they do.”
Linda Kasmaty, Chair of the Friends of Museum and Art Swindon, said: “It’s just fabulous to be here looking around the first floor of the Civic Offices.
“What we’ve got now looks fantastic. The team are very dedicated, they’re all obviously very enthusiastic and that’s amazing to have.
“It’s very beautiful, it ticks every box and it’s a great way to repurpose the building.
“It’s something to be proud of. People need museums and galleries to visit. Swindonians will be thrilled and the town can be very proud of it. It’ll be a destination for art lovers across the country.”
