News

The Dorset Museum & Art Gallery is thrilled to announce that it has been awarded a generous grant of £250k from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

This funding has been made possible by the contributions of National Lottery players, and it will have a significant impact on various aspects of the museum’s operations.

The grant will transform our work in several key areas. Firstly, it will provide much-needed support in marketing and public relations. This will enable the museum to effectively promote its exhibitions, events, and educational programs to a wider audience, ensuring increased visibility and engagement.

In addition to marketing initiatives, the grant will also enable us to diversify our retail operations. By investing in this area, the museum can significantly increase secondary income through a targeted approach to merchandising and stock selection.  Building stronger connections between our shop products and the collections and temporary exhibitions will encourage visitors to purchase items that provide a more meaningful connection with their experience.

Another critical aspect we will address through this funding relates to staff retention. The grant will be instrumental in implementing comprehensive training and development programs for employees across all aspects of the organisation. By investing in professional growth and skills enhancement, the museum can foster a supportive work environment.

Lastly, this grant will make an impact in the area of strategic governance. It will assist in the development of a new strategy that informs a governance review.  It is crucial that we develop a vision that is ambitious, relevant and engaging, to provide direction in relation to decision-making and organisational management for the long term.

This substantial financial support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund signifies a tremendous boost for Dorset Museum & Art Gallery and will enable us to focus on long-term resilience.

Executive Director Claire Dixon said “This financial support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund has come at a critical time.  After significant investment in the transformation of Dorset Museum & Art Gallery we re-opened in a climate of the Covid-19 pandemic, cost of living crisis, Brexit and the war in Ukraine, all of which have had a significant impact on our ability to drive visitor growth.  Faced with significantly higher running costs, this support will enable us to focus on a small number of key areas to increase footfall, diversify income and ensure we are in the best possible position to survive long term.”