News in brief | Latest moves, projects, funding and more

President of Amgueddfa Cymru resigns

Roger Lewis, the President of Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales, is stepping down at the end of this month. Lewis has served as chair of the museum’s board of trustees since 2019. He is leaving the role three months early after committing to take on a number of other public roles and projects. Carol Bell, Vice President of Amgueddfa Cymru said: “On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I would like to thank Roger for his contribution as a valued Chairman of the Board at a time of unprecedented challenges. Roger has worked tirelessly, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic, to build excellent relationships with Amgueddfa Cymru’s stakeholders in support of its 10-year strategy.”

National Portrait Gallery announces reopening date

The National Portrait Gallery in London will reopen on 22 June 2023 after the most significant refurbishment in its history. Visitors to the museum, which has been closed to the public since 2020, will experience a complete re-exhibit of the collection and a renovation of the building, as well as an improved welcome area and better access through the gallery’s new Ross Place entrance, where three new doors have been added by large windows converted.

The ground floor of the gallery will contain nine galleries exploring society and culture in the 19th and early 20th centuries. As part of the redevelopment, the east wing of the gallery will also return to public use as the Weston Wing, restoring the original gallery spaces and building new retail and hospitality facilities. The project was led by Jamie Fobert Architects in collaboration with Purcell.

Thackray Museum appoints CEO

Edward Appleyard has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of the Thackray Museum of Medicine in Leeds, replacing former CEO Nat Edwards. Appleyard comes to the museum from Harewood House, where he served as Director of Engagement. He has almost two decades of experience working in the not-for-profit sector, having previously held marketing roles with the London Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Northern College of Music. He will take up his position on January 9th.

The Brunel Museum receives grants for research into textile collections

The Brunel Museum has received two grants to research and preserve its textile collection. The first, awarded by the Costume Society, goes to the preservation of a silk handkerchief commemorating the Thames Tunnel. While the second Madeleine Ginsburg Internship Fellowship would support museum volunteer and textile historian Katie Anderson in conducting her research on the museum’s textile collection. This scholarship is specifically designed for undergraduate and graduate students seeking internships in garments or textiles. The Brunel Museum in London’s Southwark shows the construction of the Thames Tunnel – the world’s first tunnel under a river.

Sue Shave appointed Acting Director of the Jewish Museum London

Sue Shave has been appointed acting director of the Jewish Museum London, replacing outgoing director Fran Jeens. Shave has previously served as director of three museums: Coldharbour Mill, Chiltern Open Air Museum and Discover Bucks Museum. She has successfully raised funds for several major capital projects including the new £1.2million Discover Bucks Galleries at the Discover Bucks Museum. The Chairman of the Jewish Museum London Board of Trustees, Nick Viner, said: “Sue truly believes in the work of the Jewish Museum and we are delighted that she is joining us.”

V&A launches awards to celebrate women’s photography

The V&A Parasol Foundation’s Women in Photography Project has launched a new photography award dedicated to supporting and promoting contemporary women’s photography. The work of the five award winners will be exhibited at Peckham 24, the three-day festival for contemporary photography in London, in May 2023. This year’s opening theme is ‘Agents of Change’, which aims to celebrate the way photography depicts, documents and effects change. Participation in the award is free and open to photo artists from all over the world. To enter the 2022 competition, submissions must be made through the V&A’s application portal, which can be found on the organisation’s website.

Lottery grant for the RAF Museum Development Program

The RAF Museum in London has secured an investment from the National Lottery Heritage Lottery Fund for its Inspiring Everyone: RAF Museum Midlands Development Programme. The program aims to provide a regional engagement program alongside a site transformation, and will also support the museum in achieving its commitment to net-zero carbon by 2030. The grant is a significant step toward the museum’s fundraising goal for the project. Plans are now entering a development phase before construction begins in early 2025. The project is scheduled to be completed by summer 2027.

Liz Power leaves Museum of Water & Steam

Director of London’s Museum of Water & Steam, Liz Power, is transitioning into a new role as director of Historic Buildings & Places, the charity dedicated to supporting the built historic environment. She joins the organization not long after adopting a new mission, vision, values ​​and brand. Power said: “I have always had the pleasure of working in listed buildings and I am excited for the opportunity to lead a charity dedicated to supporting and protecting all types of buildings and places and researching how they can be better for the benefit of communities.” She will take up her new role in February 2023.