The North West
Investment in Grundy strengthens Blackpool’s cultural ambition as town hosts Monet and builds City of Culture momentum
A £478,000 investment in Blackpool’s Grundy Art Gallery will continue their town’s commitment to culture. The investment, a mixture of £121,000 from the UK Government’s Pride in Place Impact fund and £357,000 from Arts Council England’s Museum Estate and Development, will help carry out vital repairs and upgrades to the historic building.
The work will include replacement of ageing boilers, electrical improve- ments, structural wall and roof repairs and enhancements to environmen- tal conditions needed to display major works safely.
These improvements are vital to protecting both the listed structure and the gallery’s £5 million art collection. The investment will also help the gallery to attract national and internationally acclaimed pieces of art, and are crucial for the gallery to continue its current programme plan sup- ported by Arts Council England, with National Portfolio Status funding confirmed until 31st March 2028.
Securing such loans requires galleries to meet rigorous standards for building safety, environmental control and collections care. As well as the works planned, significant refurbishment work to the gallery’s roof and glass dome have been undertaken in the last three years, as well as upgrading the CCTV systems.
Cllr Lynn Williams, Leader of Blackpool Council said: “The Grundy is a special place for Blackpool.
“This funding helps us protect the building and bring more world-famous art to our town, so everyone can enjoy it. Having a Monet painting come to Blackpool shows just how far our cultural offer has grown and it’s great to see local people enjoying it for free, while community groups and schools are also taking part in having such a significant piece of culture on our doorstep. Our Blackpool culture is so varied. We are working hard to make sure that high-class art can be enjoyed in the same way that community arts, pop culture and entertainment heritage are all part of what makes our hometown special. It will form a large part of our bid to be UK City of Culture 2029, something that I’m keen the whole town gets behind and supports because it would be amazing for our town.”
To support Blackpool’s bid to be UK City of Culture 2029, visit www.
blackpool.gov.uk/cityofculture
The investment comes at a pivotal moment for Blackpool’s cultural sec- tor. The Grundy is currently hosting Claude Monet’s ‘The Petit Bras of the Seine at Argenteuil’ (1872) until June as part of the National Gallery Masterpiece Tour 2025–2027.
It also comes as Blackpool has been longlisted to bid for the UK City of Culture 2029. It shows that Blackpool is serious about investing in arts, heritage and high-quality venues.
Work on the gallery will take place between 2026 and 2028. The Council will carefully plan the repairs so exhibitions and events can continue.
This project is part of the Pride in Place Impact Fund, a £1.5m fund to sup- port community spaces and make Blackpool an even better place to live.
The Museum Estate and Development Fund has allocated just under £5 million to support seven local museums across the North West to undertake vital infrastructure works, and improve the visitor experience.
Culture Secretary, Lisa Nandy said: “I want everyone, everywhere to feel a sense of pride about where they come from. Cultural organisations across the North West are important custodians of local identity and play a key role in the story we tell ourselves as a nation.
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“Our Arts Everywhere Fund is delivering on our commitment to support cultural assets across the country, increasing access and preserving them for future generations. This is demonstrated by grants announced today that will benefit seventeen culture venues, museums, and library services across the North West.
“Arts and culture are the beating hearts of our communities, they have the power to unite us in the face of division and break down barriers to opportunity. We want to harness the power to help us build a brighter future for the people of the North West.”
Rebecca Ball, Area Director, North, Arts Council England said: “Our muse- ums, libraries and arts organisations have the power to change lives, they give us access to new worlds, teach us about our heritage and give us new perspectives on life.
“I’m so pleased that we’ll be supporting so many of our cultural organisa- tions in the North with this capital investment, which will ensure that they can continue to deliver incredible arts and culture to their communities.”
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