PLANS for the Swindon Museum and Art Gallery's new home will be going on show next week.

Members of the public will have the chance to find out more about how the first floor of the Civic Offices on Euclid Street will be used to showcase the historic artefacts and artworks from the SMAG collection.

Visit the offices from 4.45pm on Wednesday, October 19 to see the plans and put forward suggestions for the development and exhibition spaces.

A change of use planning application for the new facility has been approved and a listed building application is currently being assessed.

Coun Matty Courtliff is Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet member for Culture, Heritage, Leisure and Town Centre Experience.

He said: “This is a great opportunity for local people to find out a bit more about our exciting plans for the new home of the museum and art gallery.

“The additional floor space at the Civic Offices will allow us to bring our fantastic art and heritage artefacts to life for more residents to enjoy, and the potential to expand our learning programme and have more schools visiting the collections is a huge plus point.

“Myself and our officers would love to talk you through the various exhibition spaces that will be available to get your views.”

There will also be a chance to view the current ‘Highlights from the Swindon Collection’ and ‘A Celebration of Colour’ exhibitions, which are currently on display on the ground floor.

A separate session is being held on the day for schools in the Swindon area.

The Civic Offices area will have dedicated coach parking and act as a temporary interim home for the museum and art gallery while plans to build a purpose-built facility as part of Swindon’s proposed Cultural Quarter come forward.

It will provide 40 per cent more display space compared to Apsley House in Old Town, along with improved working conditions and additional areas for staff, volunteers and researchers, which presents an opportunity to restart the museum and art gallery’s volunteer programme.

A space will be developed as a school learning and lunchroom area, which will be used to host museum events, particularly those aimed at families and focusing on the museum and art gallery’s extensive collections.

It is anticipated that the first phase of the new venue will be open to the public in the spring.