18 November 2011
|
Still from the film 'The Battle of the Somme, 1916', IWM Q 79501
The Imperial War Museum (IWM) has received initial support from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for its First World War Centenary
The Imperial War Museum (IWM) has received initial support from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for its First World War Centenary project, meaning it can progress its plans further to secure a full HLF grant of £4.5 million.
The project will transform IWM London by creating new First World War galleries in time for the centenary of the First World War in 2014. The galleries will be 45% larger than the museum's existing First World War galleries, enabling IWM to display much more of its world renowned First World War Collection, which includes art, film, sound recordings and photographs. Original objects such as personal items, letters and diaries will be exhibited in highly interactive, multimedia displays that explore the personal stories of those who lived, fought and died in the First World War. The galleries will be complemented by a programme of participatory learning activities. For more information visit www.1914.org.
Architectural and exhibition design for the First World War galleries is already underway and is subject to a period of consultation before the final designs are worked up and a planning application is submitted in February 2012.
The HLF has launched a campaign to encourage other organisations to apply for funding to commemorate the centenaries of the First World War. It has created a booklet, available here, and online information designed to demonstrate what funding is available to communities who are thinking about how to mark these important anniversaries and to encourage them to apply.
HLF is actively seeking and welcoming applications for all kinds of heritage projects, large and small, that aim to mark the anniversaries of the First World War. To find out more, click here.
Carole Souter, chief executive of HLF, said: ‘We’re deeply committed to supporting the many aspects of remembrance that will be developed as the centenaries of the First World War approach. We anticipate that there will be greater interest than ever before in honouring the sacrifice of those who gave their lives in the First World War. We are working in partnership with IWM and other organisations to ensure that groups large and small know what funding is available to them to help them commemorate these events which shaped the modern world.’