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Heritage Lottery Fund Awarded to York's Newest Museum

Published: Sunday, 7th June 2009 16:39 PM

The Quilt Museum and Gallery, whichopenedto the public on 7 June, has been awarded £193,500 from the Heritage Lottery Fund to develop education and volunteer programmes over the next three years

Guildhas relocatedits national headquarters and Heritage Collection from Halifax, where it has a well established reputation for delivering education programmes related to heritage textiles. In its first six months of operation, the Museum will be working with two York schools on pilot projects relating to the social, technical and historical side of quiltmaking.

The grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund will enable the Museum to employ a full time education officer and a part time Volunteer Organiser. Additionally, it will provide the funding for delivery of educational programmes both inhouse and through outreach and the recruitment and training of volunteers to help run the Museum.

Fiona Spiers, Heritage Lottery Fund Manager for Yorkshire and the Humber said: "Quilting offers both a window into the past and a link with previous generations. The tradition is steeped in social history and today?s news will help the Museum reveal the stories captured in these intriguing works of art."

Janice Gunner, former President of The Quilters' Guild said: "This award from the Heritage Lottery Fund comes at an important time in the development of our new museum facility in York.

"Over the last 29 years, The Quilters' Guild has delivered specialist education to all age groups throughout the country. Much of this work has been carried out by our highly motivated and trained volunteers. The award, together with the enhanced facilities in St Anthony's Hall, will now enable us to deliver a more comprehensive and sustained education programme related to our Heritage Collection.

"The requirements of operating a vastly enlarged Museum makes volunteer support all the most important to us. The award from the Heritage Lottery Fund will also facilitate the recruitment and development of a volunteer team to help run the Museum. Given the diversity of support needed, we believe that those who come forward will find the experience both educational and enjoyable," she concluded.