The National Lottery Heritage Fund has approved critical £4.4m funding for the next phase of redevelopment at Tullie, Cumbria’s leading museum and art gallery.
Breaking Down Barriers is Phase 3 of ‘Project Tullie’, the museum’s capital development programme which reimagines Tullie’s legacy as Carlisle’s centre for learning and creativity for today’s audiences.
Developed with input from the local community, the project will create new studio space for Tullie’s school and community programmes, improving the connectivity and functionality of the historic buildings and ‘secret’ walled garden.
The project responds to audience demand to see more of Tullie’s nationally significant collections by refreshing the existing 1990s galleries to reveal more than 100,000 collection items for the first time through an innovative ‘Active Gallery’ approach.
Accompanied by a rich programme of events and activities, changing trails and displays, Breaking Down Barriers will deliver a ‘transformational’ visitor experience for Tullie with something new to see at each visit.
Andrew Mackay, museum director of Tullie said: “This is fantastic news for Tullie and for Carlisle, and we are extremely grateful to The National Lottery Heritage Fund and National Lottery players for supporting this ambitious and exciting project.
“As Tullie prepares to reopen to the public, we’re delighted to secure funding for the next part of our redevelopment journey which will start in 2025.
“The funding will allow us to make the historic collections more accessible, engage with more community groups and help provide greater inspiration for people to visit Carlisle.
“Project Tullie is a £35million future plan for the museum and The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s financial commitment allows us to take the next step in achieving a long-term vision to create a centre of learning, creativity and inspiration.”
Helen Featherstone, director at The National Lottery Heritage Fund said: “It is amazing news that we’ve awarded Tullie a grant to transform the museum and improve connectivity enabling more of its significant collection to be displayed.
“Thanks to National Lottery players, and the important input from local people, this phase of the project will play a huge role in the development of the cultural and heritage offer in Carlisle.”
Funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund joins a further £1.8m already pledged by various trusts and foundations alongside a commitment from Cumberland Council.
Tullie is owned by Cumberland Council and managed by Tullie, an independent charitable trust.
Cumberland Council’s director of place, sustainable growth and transport, Darren Crossley welcomed the news.
He said: “The additional funding boost, for one of our key cultural sites, is wonderful news for Carlisle and the wider Cumberland area. It marks another important step forward for Project Tullie and adds to the funding already secured which includes a direct contribution from the council.”
Tullie is currently undergoing major renovation work as Phase 2 of Project Tullie which includes the development of a new welcome area and ground floor gallery, refurbished café and new street-front retail offering.
Breaking Down Barriers will commence from early 2025, with work onsite starting later in the year. This phase of work will not require full closure of the museum and the new spaces are expected to open in Summer 2026. Tullie has £200,000 of match funding left to raise before the project can officially launch.