The Herbert Art Gallery and Museum is now open after a £20 million refurbishment. © The Herbert Art Gallery and Museum
The final phase of the £20 million transformation and extension of The Herbert Art Gallery and Museum in Jordan Well, Coventry has been completed.
The Herbert now has an impressive new courtyard entrance which overlooks Coventry Cathedral and University Square, a studio for performances and events, and the History Centre for the city’s archives and local history collections and learning spaces.
“The opening of he Herbert Art Gallery and Museum is a key step forward in the ongoing renaissance of the city,” said Councillor Andy Matchet, Lord Mayor of Coventry.
“We want the new building to act as a centre of culture in the city; on which local residents can use as a base for creativity and exhibiting their talents; and one that visitors to Coventry can explore and learn more about the wonderful history of Coventry.”
The redevelopment project was jointly funded by, among others, the Heritage Lottery Fund who donated £4,874,000, the department for Culture, Media and Sport who donated £342,000 and Coventry City Council who donated £9,293,000.
More than 300 guests attended the official reopening. © The Herbert Art Gallery and Museum
The 6,600 sq metre project, which was designed by award-winning architects Pringle Richards Sharratt, has led to the opening of a state-of-the-art temporary and permanent History, Art, Elements, Discover Godiva and Peace and Reconciliation galleries.
Guests at the official opening included Mick Elliott, the director of culture at the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, the Lord Mayor of Coventry Cllr Andy Matchet, Cllr Ken Tayor, Leader of Coventry City Council.
Ludo Keston, chief executive of The Herbert Art Gallery and Museum, said: “The whole ethos here is to bring history and arts to life and we will present a wide range of family-friendly exhibitions and events that will be of interest to every generation and we believe we can look forward, with great excitement and optimism, to welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.”
Admission to the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum is free.
