65% of MEND funds awarded to AIM Members

Galleries, museums, libraries and cultural venues across the country are to benefit from £48 million of funding to improve access to the arts, safeguard cultural assets for future generations and power economic growth through culture.  

This funding, part of the government’s Cultural Investment Fund, is awarded across three streams and includes: £24 million through round two of the Cultural Development Fund to help regenerate communities through improved growth and productivity; the Museums Estate and Development Fund (MEND) awarding £18 million to help museums improve their infrastructure and carry out urgent maintenance works; and £5 million in 25 library services to upgrade their buildings and technology, through the Libraries Improvement Fund. 

£12,229,000, (65%) of the MEND funds were awarded to AIM Members, including £4,998,820 to support the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, £1,064,348 to Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust and £1,463,769 to the Royal Pavillion and Museums Trust in Brighton.

Lisa Ollerhead, AIM Director said:

“It is great to see this significant investment in independent museums for desperately needed estates improvements. After developing this fund in my former DCMS role and seeing it delayed by Covid I am pleased to see it come to fruition. Congratulations to Arts Council England and other colleagues involved. 

£18m is a fraction of the need however, and AIM will continue talking to sector stakeholders about supporting maintenance, including how to ensure small museums with lower but still significant needs benefit from future MEND rounds.”

Click here to see the full list of successful projects>>