Major Transformation for Royal Cornwall Museum with £2.1m Funding Boost

Photo: Photography shows (left to right): Jonathan Morton and Bryony Robins from Royal Cornwall Museum with Cllr Louis Gardner from Cornwall Council

The Royal Cornwall Museum in Truro is set to undergo a significant transformation, thanks to a substantial £2.1 million investment from the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth Programme. This initiative, a part of the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund, is aimed at levelling up communities across the nation.

The museum, renowned for its cultural significance and historical exhibits, is poised for a comprehensive revamp. The funding will primarily focus on redeveloping the Heart of Cornwall exhibition, the museum’s main gallery. Additionally, it will support enhancements to the nature gallery and the entrance and garden, significantly improving accessibility for all visitors.

An ambitious series of activities and workshops is also in the pipeline, focusing on building skills in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Maths (STEAM). These will include school workshops, career events, family activities, and various exhibitions, broadening the museum’s educational reach.
The Good Growth Programme’s contribution marks the latest in a string of successful funding efforts by the museum. These include a £100,000 transitional funding from Cornwall Council, a £250,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, and a significant £1.5 million from Arts Council England through the Museum Estate and Development Fund. Last July, the museum also received £460,000 from the Truro Town Deal to refurbish its celebrated Mineral Gallery, enhancing its role in showcasing Cornwall’s history as a global mining hub.

Cllr Louis Gardner, Cornwall Council’s portfolio holder for the economy, expressed his enthusiasm for the project. “The Royal Cornwall Museum is a vital storyteller of our rich heritage. This investment will not only revitalize its appeal but also reinforce its role in preserving and presenting Cornwall’s cultural heritage,” he said.

Cllr Carol Mould, portfolio holder for neighbourhoods, highlighted the museum’s progress in the last 18 months and the council’s ongoing support for its transformation plan.

Phil Gibby, Area Director of Arts Council England, South West, commended Cornwall Council’s decision to invest Shared Prosperity Funding into arts and culture, emphasizing the importance of such investments in nurturing creativity in the county.

Bryony Robins, the museum’s artistic director, emphasized the widespread impact of the funding. “It will greatly enhance visitor experience and accessibility, allowing us to showcase Cornish heritage and culture more effectively, especially in our main hall and Heart of Cornwall Gallery,” she said.

Jonathan Morton, the museum’s executive director, expressed gratitude for the support and optimism about the project’s impact on local communities.
The Good Growth Programme is part of the Government’s £2.6 billion Shared Prosperity Fund, with £132 million allocated to it, supplemented by £5.6 million from the Rural Prosperity Fund. The investment in the Royal Cornwall Museum is a significant step in leveraging these funds to benefit communities and preserve cultural heritage in the UK.