BAFM MEMBERS NEWS - 6
THE FRIENDS OF THE ULSTER MUSEUM
MUSEUM RE-OPENS
The Ulster Museum was re-opened to the public in October 2009, eighty years to the day of its opening in 1929, and after a massive three-year development programme costing £17.2 million. The first substantial re-development for almost 40 years has fundamentally re-shaped the character of the major museum, noted for its rich collections of fine and applied art, archaeology, history, natural sciences and world cultures.
Visitors to the new museum are welcomed into a new 40 metre-high entrance atrium filled with light and glass and with steel walkways leading into the History, Science and Art zones, all at different levels. These zones have their own interactive discovery areas. In the Art Discovery Area badge-making and other decorations have been crafted by visiting children and adults, based on the special exhibition of works by the Irish artist, Sean Scully. His paintings are displayed in the adjacent suite of galleries.
The Nature and History Discovery Areas have been equally exciting for visitors. The eagerly awaited tower, ‘Window on our World’ highlights various exhibits from different eras and invites visitors to travel upwards from the High Cross at ground level to the Triceratops at the top, passing much else on the way. A new large restaurant to the left of the entrance has been created with a terrace leading onto the Botanic Gardens.
The Friends were privileged to tour the museum just prior to the official opening and the turnout was huge. After a celebratory lunch there were speeches in the atrium during which the Friends’ President, Lady Carswell, presented their donation of £55,000 to support the Art Discovery Area.
In the first month the Museum welcomed 100,000 visitors, whereas before it averaged 200,00 per annum. It was no surprise to the Friends to learn that their Museum had appeared on the long list of this year’s Art Fund Prize; they fervently hope it will progress further and reach the short list, at least.
THE FRIENDS OF THE CARPET MUSEUM
OVERWHELMING RESPONSE
The Friends of the Carpet Museum have had an overwhelmingly positive response to a carpet museum for Kidderminster. The public gained a preview of the museum at a recent weekend at Morrison’s supermarket, when local shoppers were invited to choose between three logos to represent the museum. The feedback was extremely positive and the survey team was overwhelmed by the public’s interest in the history of Kidderminster and the town’s carpet industry. Many families interviewed had connections with the industry and welcomed the opportunity to share stories with their children and with the rest of the world.
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