Museums across Swindon are set for a financial boot after they signed up to join the Wessex Museums partnership.

The organisation is extending its current National Portfolio status and as a result, the partnership will receive £1.3 million from Arts Council England over three years.

This will mean that the STEAM Museum, the Swindon Museum and Art Gallery and the Lydiard House Museum will all receive extra funding.

The funding will support a range of innovative projects across the museums to improve collections, engage diverse local communities, and deliver exciting events and exhibitions, as well as champion equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and environmental sustainability.

STEAM Museum says it is looking forward with current Wessex partner museums such as the Poole Museum Service, the Dorset Museum, The Salisbury Museum, and the Wiltshire Museum from April 2023.

Councillor Matty Courtliff, Swindon Borough Council’s cabinet member for culture, heritage, leisure, and town centre experience, said: “It’s a very exciting time for Swindon Museums, following the very positive public session we hosted on our plans for the new home of Swindon Museum and Art Gallery at the Civic Offices.

"I am really proud of the hard work that the museums team has put into achieving this successful funding bid.

“We believe STEAM, Lydiard House Museum and Swindon Museum and Art Gallery will benefit greatly from being a part of Wessex Museums’ thriving partnership, and we look forward to collectively sharing the story of the culture and heritage of Wessex in ways that inspire, connect and add value to people’s lives. We are very grateful to Arts Council England for their support.”