Swindon Museum looks to fund new 20th century artists' gallery
The Director of Swindon Museum and Art Gallery, Rob Hebden, who spoke at our recent 'Art Investment and Cities' Forum at RIBA in January, has been describing how funding could build a new museum and cultural space for the town that would have national significance.
The new gallery is to house an important collection of over 600 pieces of 20th century modern British paintings, drawings and ceramics including works by Gwen John, Graham Sutherland, Gillian Ayres, Lucian Freud and Howard Hodgkin. Only a small proportion can be displayed in the current building.
Regeneration of the town - which is home to the the head quarters of the National Trust and to Honda (UK) - is moving forward with new housing and public realm and the University of Wales Trinity Saint David is setting up a Heritage Studies Department in the old Carriage Works. Rob explains:
At our January conference, there was debate about the ideas for improvement to retail in the town from Cushman & Wakefield.
Rob is hopeful that the funding will come through and thinks the museum is will be an essential catalyst for the regeneration of the town.