Manchester Museum will close from late August until late 2022 as it reaches the final phase of its transformation project.
The works being carried out to the museum include a major new space dedicated to large scale exhibitions and projects and the creation of a South Asia Gallery, a partnership gallery with the British Museum. The South Asia Gallery will be the first ever permanent exhibition space in the UK dedicated to exploring the stories, experiences and contributions of South Asian communities.
The series of works to Manchester Museum form part of their ‘hello future‘ project.
Manchester Museum will close to the public from 29 August until late 22 so that construction work can take place. The completed museum will feature a two-storey extension, new galleries, and a new entrance, shop, cafe and inclusive visitor facilities.
The £13.5 million hello future project is supported using public funding from Arts Council England, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, The University of Manchester and numerous supporters.
In the run up to the close, the museum will extend its opening hours on 26 and 27 August until 9pm to give more people the chance to see its collections before the doors close. There will also be special performances to mark the occasion.
Speaking about the huge overhaul Manchester Museum is undergoing, the museum’s director Esme Ward said, “hello future is a hugely important project that aims to build understanding between cultures and create a more sustainable world. Once complete, visitors will experience exhibitions that tell new, powerful stories and engage with big ideas.
“We are excited to have reached the final stage of our transformation and I want to reassure our visitors that although our doors will temporarily close, we are still here for you. Manchester Museum exists beyond a building. Throughout the closure, we will be holding pop-up events and outreach programmes, and our collections are all available to explore online.
“We look forward to opening the doors to hello future in 2022 and welcoming visitors to a bigger, more imaginative and even more inclusive museum.”
When Manchester Museum reopens new galleries will include a large Exhibition Hall, Belonging Gallery, the Lee Kai Hung Chinese Culture Gallery, and the South Asia Gallery.
