Rebuilding the Foundations focuses on securing a future for museums that is engaged, relevant and sustainable. It will offer a development journey for museums to build their capacity, skills and confidence. Museums will be able to roadmap for the future together. The ten participant museums will have access to specialist support in audience development and volunteering, as well as training, skills development and peer learning opportunities.

The project offers museums a combination of diagnosis, tailored specialist intervention and peer support to begin new ways of working.

Participant museums will:

  • Re-shape the way they work with the help of a team of specialists and local organisations.
  • Involve and engage local communities currently under-represented in their heritage, audiences and volunteer teams.
  • Become part of a network, developing mutual support and learning.
  • Effectively use resources, to grow and strengthen Gloucestershire’s museums.

Heritage fund logo in a teal circle

Museums and communities in Gloucestershire will benefit from this project thanks to the National Lottery Heritage Fund, who distribute grants for inspiring projects, to sustain and transform the UK’s heritage. Rebuilding the Foundations: Gloucestershire’s Museums joins the 44,000 projects awarded a total of £8bn in funding since 1994.

We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with ten museums in Gloucestershire as part of Rebuilding the Foundations!  This project is vital for the museums’ long term resilience.  These museums tell incredible stories of local and national significance through their collections, bringing Gloucestershire’s vibrant and fascinating histories to life.

Museums are critical to the cultural and economic ecology of the county.  Without them a huge part of Gloucestershire’s heritage would be lost. We are delighted that the National Lottery Heritage Fund has given us the opportunity to support these museums at such a uniquely challenging time; and we are grateful to National Lottery players for the contribution that they make to supporting heritage projects like this one.

 – Rachel Miller, Audience Development Officer

Find out more about the Rebuilding the Foundations: Gloucestershire’s Museums project or contact the project team at [email protected]