Chancellor George Osborne visited Manchester Museum of Science and Industry today to announce the Government’s £800,000 investment in the museum.
With the new financial support it will now enable the museum to take the initial steps towards creating a brand-new bespoke temporary exhibition facility on its historic site, right in the heart of Manchester.
Due to the early investment it will now enable the museum to start planning phases such as design and funding discussions with potential donors.
It will also allow the museum to create a more dynamic and interactive space, especially with the demand for science in the North West.
The chancellor tweeted about his visit to the museum and said: “My kids loved Manchester’s Museum of Science and Industry. Now here to provide funding & support for their exciting expansion plans.”
My kids loved Manchester’s Museum of Science and Industry. Now here to provide funding & support for their exciting expansion plans
— George Osborne (@George_Osborne) March 28, 2014
The museum is known for its fantastic science exhibitions and all year-round events, and now with the investment from the government it will help put the Museum on the map – boosting its reputation as a ‘world-class cultural attraction and the home of cutting edge science.’
Jean Franczyk, Director of the Museum of Science and Industry, said: “Our mission is to explore where science met industry and the modern world began, whilst telegraphing Manchester as a 21st Century city of science.
“This financial support to the Museum of Science and Industry by the Government could not be offered at a more important time.
“By enabling the Museum to host world-class exhibitions, this financial investment will have a huge positive, cultural impact on Manchester and the region as a whole.”
Over the past 12 months the Museum has held a series of innovative science exhibitions, and last year over 100,000 people visited their six-month exhibition ‘Brains: The Mind as Matter’.
The visit from the Chancellor coincided nicely with #MuseumWeek which gives Twitter users direct access to museums and the team members behind them.
Manchester Museum of Science and Industry have been involved with the trend and at the start of #MuseumWeek tweeted: “Happy #MuseumWeek – see what we’ve got planned with @sciencemuseum, @railwaymuseum and @mediamuseum”
Happy #MuseumWeek – see what we’ve got planned with @sciencemuseum, @railwaymuseum and @mediamuseum http://t.co/2VBWEGogvY
— MOSIManchester (@voiceofmosi) March 24, 2014
The visit was one of a number the Chancellor made today in the city today, His others included the building site of the £61m National Graphene Institute (NGI) and the FSB National Conference.
