Baths in Art Fund Prize
Roman Baths Museum makes Art Fund Prize long list
February 2011
The Bath & North East Somerset Council-run
Roman Baths Museum has made the long list for the 2011 Art Fund
Prize, the most prestigious award in the museum world.
The announcement was made by Michael Portillo,
Chairman of the judging panel, on BBC’s Front Row arts
programme on Wednesday night ( 2.2.11).
The purpose of The Art Fund Prize is to
recognise and stimulate originality and excellence in museums and
galleries in the UK, and increase public appreciation and enjoyment
of all they have to offer.
A single award of £100,000 is presented to a
museum or gallery whose entry, in the opinion of the judges, best
meets the Prize criteria.
The Roman Baths Development, an investment of £5.5 million
pounds by the Council, has transformed the visitor experience. It
is designed to secure the future of the museum as a leading visitor
attraction and to radically improve the quality of public access to
the site
Stephen Clews, Manager of the Roman Baths
said, ‘Obviously we are delighted to have made the long list for
this award, which is a significant achievement. It is also just the
beginning of a rigorous judging and appraisal process that will
take place between now and the presentation of the Award in
June.
'At least four judges will be visiting the
Roman Baths to look at different aspects of The Roman Baths
Development and we will be in competition with the very best
projects in the museum world today.’
Cllr Terry Gazzard, Cabinet Member for
Development and Major Projects said: ‘I believe this recognition
for the Roman Baths Development is richly deserved. The Council
committed to supporting the redevelopment of the Roman Baths in
2004 and has followed that through with this five-year development
programme. It has been an investment for the long term with
sustainability as the driver, which is an important feature in how
our museums and heritage sites are managed.’
The Roman Baths development plan is designed to increase visitor
numbers and boost revenue which benefits local taxpayers across the
area. The Council’s Heritage Services make a surplus of over £3m
each year which is reinvested in other frontline Council services
such as street cleaning, libraries and waste services.
-Ends-
Contacts:
For images of the Roman Baths please contact
Maggie Bone - maggie_bone@bathnes.gov.uk
Bath & North East Somerset Council –
Patricia Dunlop
Commercial Manager, Heritage Services 01225
477759/ 477736/477760
Patricia_dunlop@bathnes.gov.uk
The Art Fund - Marina Bradbury
Communications Officer
DL 020 7225 4819
http://www.artfund.org/
Notes to editors:
The Art Fund is the national
fundraising charity for works of art and plays a major part in
enriching the range, quality and understanding of art in
the UK. It campaigns, fundraises and gives money to museums
and galleries to buy and show art, and promotes its enjoyment
through its events and membership scheme. The Art Fund is funded by
its art-loving and museum-going members and supporters who believe
that great art should be for everyone to enjoy. Find out more at
http://www.artfund.org/