City loses bid for £5m help for Silk Mill and museum
HOPES of a £5 million boost to Derby City Council's plans to modernise its museum service have been shattered by an Arts Council announcement.
The council's museum strategy sets out ambitious plans to revitalise the Silk Mill museum – to be brought up to date, reopened and renamed The Engine – and update the Museum and Art Gallery in the Strand.
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The city council has limited funds for the work which has to be done in stages, with the ground floor of the Silk Mill a priority.
However, it is hoping to secure money from outside organisations and submitted a joint bid with Nottingham City Council to the Arts Council. Yesterday the Arts Council released a list of successful museums – and Derby was not on it.
Councillor Hilary Jones, cabinet member for leisure and culture, said: "Whilst not successful on this occasion, the ambition and quality of the bid has been recognised and provides a good platform for future cooperation and working."
Alan Davey, chief executive of the Arts Council England, said they had been impressed with the quality of the bid.
"We received many more strong applications than we were able to fund," he said.
6 Comments
by Russell2011
Wednesday, January 25 2012, 3:08PM
“Perhaps we should rename the main Art Gallery and museum the Artists & Relics at least if all else fails we could turn it into a trendy wine bar with a name like that!”
by B_o_b1
Wednesday, January 25 2012, 1:14PM
“As the bid was to modernise the council's 'museum service' I doubt a possible rebranding of one the museums (and not the main one) would have much effect, if any.”
by janine2011
Wednesday, January 25 2012, 10:19AM
“Wonder if they lost out because those giving the money didn't like the name The Engine at the Silk Mill? They may have thought it was just going to be a showcase of engines and thus not worth spending money on. Can you imagine Nottingham changing the name of the statue Robin Hood calling it The Archer called Robin Hood? Or Sherwood Forest being called The Woods? Just as stupid.”
by Bath_Street
Wednesday, January 25 2012, 9:41AM
“I was all up for renaming of the silk mill....How about changinging the name to Nottingham Silk mill?”
by Russell2011
Wednesday, January 25 2012, 9:06AM
“Totally agreee as I said on a previous post this is Derby's history so stop trying to be hip. The Silk Mill itself is part of history quality museums show the glorious history through the ages as a preservation of wonderful things from the past to show and teach future generations. Chanhing its name to the "Engine" which has no real connection with the history of the building or all the "industry" it has been previously connected with makes it sound like a fun pub. rebranding a bank in town to make it a pub is fine but keep our traditions and history.”
by JulieFulep
Wednesday, January 25 2012, 8:09AM
“Perhaps the daft re-branding is an omen. Keep it as the Silk Mill.”