The Arts Council funding will address ‘significant’ internal environmental issues connected to humidity and temperature in the Grade 2 listed building
William Morris Gallery has been awarded £417,990 from Arts Council England that will go towards refurbishment works.
According to the museum, the planned programme of works is scheduled to begin later this year and is designed to “improve overall building performance, mitigate further degradation of the fabric of the building” as well as safeguard collections.
With the funding allocation, the building’s internal environment will be improved through several fronts. These include the installation of better thermal insulation, mechanical cooling, ventilation, dehumidification units, and solar film on windows.
In a public statement, the gallery said the project will help to ensure it is more energy efficient and reduce energy consumption.
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Rosalind Dore, cabinet commissioner for destinations, said: “This is fantastic news and marks a significant milestone for William Morris Gallery, playing a vital role in its renovation initiative aimed at safeguarding this significant heritage site and its integral position within the Waltham Forest community for future generations.”
On 23rd March, the gallery opened its doors to the ‘largest ever’ exhibition in the UK dedicated to Japanese folk-craft.
Running until 22nd September, Art Without Heroes: Mingei will include ceramics, woodwork, paper, toys, textiles, photography and film all taken from private collections in the UK and Japan.
Coined by the Japanese philosopher and critic Yanagi Soetsu, ‘Mingei’, means the ‘art of the people’, and, as the William Morris Gallery says, the term ascribes cultural value and aesthetic purity to traditional craft objects.
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