Kirkcudbright Art Gallery boosted by Heritage Lottery Fund
Dumfries and Galloway Council’s plans to deliver the Kirkcudbright Art Gallery project took a major step forward this week with the announcement of a grant of £931,200 from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The grant is a major contribution towards transforming the town hall into a contemporary art gallery showcasing and celebrating the unique heritage of Kirkcudbright Artists’ Town.
The new Kirkcudbright Art Gallery will be able to show nationally significant collections, such as the Glasgow Boys, Scottish Colourists and the Galloway Viking Hoard, as well as the output of artists currently working in the town.
Councillor Tom McAughtrie, chairman of the Community and Customer Services Committee, said: “Building the local economy is the number one priority for our Council. Given the growth of cultural tourism, the Kirkcudbright Art Gallery project offers our region significant, long-term and sustainable economic impact. This award from the Heritage Lottery Fund is very exciting as it will enable us to develop a fabulous facility for the people of Dumfries and Galloway and for visitors to our region.”
Lucy Casot, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Scotland, said, “HLF is delighted to support this transformational project, which will give Kirkcudbright an art gallery worthy of the exceptional art works it will house. The future of the historic town hall has been secured and not only will it attract more tourists to the area but will benefit the wider community as they’re encouraged to explore and enjoy the area’s rich art heritage. It’s thanks to players of the National Lottery that we have been able to help make this happen.”
Heritage as an important catalyst for regeneration and tourism was recognised across Scotland’s towns and cities today as the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) announced grants amounting to over £7million.
Thanks to players of the National Lottery, significant projects from the regeneration of Inverness to a new art gallery for Kirkcudbright, to the restoration of Edinburgh’s Observatory on Calton Hill, will not only preserve historic features but will engage people in their heritage and help to bring economic prosperity to the area, and the country.
Work on the Kirkcudbright gallery is scheduled to start in Spring 2016 with the gallery scheduled to open in Summer 2017.
