Today HLF announced grants to the Scottish Maritime Museum in Irvine and to the University of Glasgow’s textile industry collection to allow them to seek out and purchase what they need to enhance their collections.

Collecting Cultures is unique in providing curators with a sum of money to develop their collections proactively rather than having to wait for a painting or object to become available on the market. It was developed as a one-off programme but has proved so popular that it is back for a second time.

Colin McLean, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund Scotland, said: “Collecting Cultures is a ground-breaking scheme which evolved after a great many discussions with galleries, libraries and archives to find out how we could best support their long-term strategic development. We are delighted to make these awards today and commend the projects for their plans to increase public involvement and enjoyment of their collections.”

University of Glasgow Archive Services
A grant of £91,800 will be used to develop the University of Glasgow's collection of records relating to Scotland's textile industry dating back to the early 1800s by adding items such as fabric sample books, catalogues, industry tools, clothes made from 19th and 20th century textiles and theatre costumes. The university's archive currently holds key collections including those from New Lanark Mills, United Turkey Red, the Stoddard-Templeton collection (two of Scotland's most significant and influential carpet designers and manufacturers) and The House of Fraser Archive. As part of the project a broad-reaching plan will enable many more people to learn about and research the Scottish textile industry through training, exhibitions and digital resources.

Scottish Maritime Museum
The Scottish Maritime Museum holds an important nationally recognised collection including 40 vessels, marine engines and shipbuilding machinery. An HLF grant of £412,000 will help the museum acquire maritime artwork to enhance the current collection, which is predominantly focused on machinery and engineering, and provide wider interpretation of this important Scottish industry. Acquisitions will include oil paintings, sketches, sculpture studies, photographs and posters, dating from 1750 onwards. An extensive programme of learning will include training volunteers to provide guided tours of the museum.

Notes to editors

This is the second time HLF has run Collecting Cultures, an initiative to support museums, libraries and archives in developing their collections through strategic acquisition projects. Grantees plan and deliver programmes of targeted purchase whilst developing staff skills and engaging a wider range of people with their collections.

To date, HLF has invested a third of its total commitment - £2bn - to transforming museums, libraries and archives.

Acquisitions must be at least 10 years-old to be eligible for HLF support.

The Collecting Cultures programme is now closed for applications.

Further information

HLF, Shiona Mackay on tel: 01786 870 638, mobile: 07779 142 890 or Katie Owen on tel: 020 7591 6036, mobile: 07973 613 820.

For the University of Glasgow, please contact Nick Wade on 0141 330 7126, email: Nick.Wade@glasgow.ac.uk.

For the Scottish Maritime Museum, please contact David Mann on 01294 278 283, email: dam@scotmaritime.org.uk.