Luton’s museum services are set for a major boost after The Culture Trust Luton was awarded more than half a million pounds to keep its museums open and thriving.
The Trust will receive £530,528 as part of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s £20million Museum Renewal Fund to protect jobs, sustain opening hours and improve public access to collections, while helping the exhibitions at Wardown House and Stockwood Park Discovery Centre strengthen their role in community life.
For Luton, the investment will maintain staffing levels and support educational and community programming, allowing The Culture Trust to expand its outreach work and develop new content with local residents.
A government spokesperson said the fund would ensure “cherished civic museums” can continue to share their stories for generations to come, supporting both community pride and regional tourism.
Museums Minister, Baroness Twycross, who visited The Culture Trust on Tuesday, said: “Museums offer a place where people from all backgrounds can learn, be inspired and delve into our rich history, helping to understand the stories that led us to where we are today. The Museum Renewal Fund ensures much-loved civic museums across the East of England can remain open and continue to provide opportunities for future generations to learn about our shared heritage and how their local community has played its part in our national story.”
The Museum Renewal Fund forms part of the wider £270 million Arts Everywhere Fund announced earlier this year under the government’s Plan for Change to support economic growth and increase cultural opportunities nationwide.
Hazel Edwards, south east area Director at Arts Council England, said the support was a “vital lifeline” for museums across the region.
“From historic dockyards to local cultural hubs, these institutions play a crucial role in connecting communities with their past and inspiring future generations,” she said. “We are pleased to stand alongside these museums as they navigate today’s challenges and build towards a more sustainable future.”
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