A new facility to showcase one of the country’s best collections of modern 20th Century art will open to the public on Tuesday (9 July).
Museum and Art Swindon has moved from Apsley House in Bath Road, Old Town to the Civic Offices in Euclid Street in order to make the Council’s incredible collection of artwork and artefacts more accessible to more people.
The former museum and art gallery was closed during the COVID-19 pandemic and did not reopen due to significant repairs that needed to be made to the building and concerns over its limited accessibility.
Officers at Swindon Borough Council have since been working to transform the first floor of the art deco Civic Offices building in Euclid Street to provide a home for the Borough’s first-class collections.
The new venue will provide around 40 per cent more display space when compared to its previous home and will also provide improved working conditions and additional areas for staff, volunteers and researchers, presenting an opportunity to restart the museum and art gallery’s volunteer programme.
There is also a space specifically for school trips, providing a classroom and lunchroom area for visitors to the new museum.
Opening exhibitions for the museum include:
- Elisabeth Frink: A View from Within – produced as part of our Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation funding through Wessex Museums
- Double Take - explores inspiration and creativity using artworks from the Museum & Art Swindon collections alongside works produced by 200 Swindon school children
- Pieces of Me - an exploration of identity through art, co-curated with young people from Swindon
- Origins and History of Swindon
During its opening week, the museum will be open from Tuesday to Sunday (10:30am to 4:30pm with family activities also being planned for the weekend.
This will include family Art Lab sessions, where participants can try a bite size costume design session, create a costume collage or try paper weaving, on Saturday (13 July) and History Detectives sessions, where visitors will be delving into the world of Saxon Treasure and design their own Saxon Brooch or sword, on Sunday (14 July).
To find out more visit our what's on page here.
Councillor Marina Strinkovsky, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning and Placemaking: “I’m thrilled that we’re finally able to open this amazing museum and provide a new home for Swindon’s impressive collection of art and artefacts".
Councillor Jim Robbins, Leader of Swindon Borough Council, said: “I’m proud of the team and council for getting this museum over the line. The Civic is a fantastic building and having Museum and Art Swindon be located here is only going to make it a bigger part of Swindon’s offering. I’m excited to see people enjoy the art offering we have, learn more about our history before the railway and experience our local democracy".
Linda Kasmaty, Chair of the Friends of Museum & Art Swindon, said: “We’re very pleased and excited that Museum & Art Swindon is opening and look forward to continuing to support them in their new premises on the first floor of the Civic Offices, and publicising the museum and art gallery which we predict will become a cultural beacon, attracting visitors from not only within Swindon but surrounding areas. We’re looking forward to being able to see some of the magnificent Swindon collection of twentieth century art again as well as the new interpretations in the museum".
