International sculpture centre for Bury town centre

An exciting new cultural attraction will be created in Bury town centre which should gain international recognition.

A high-profile sculpture centre will be placed in the Bury Library, Museum and Art Gallery complex to provide a range of new cultural activities to local people, while attracting significant numbers of new visitors and inward investment.

The centre has been made possible by the council’s recent Library Review which opened up the opportunity for new ways of supporting culture in the town centre.

Councillor Jane Lewis, cabinet member for leisure, tourism and culture, said: “We looked at a range of possible partners, but the co-location of the Art Gallery and Museum Service with the Library is the natural fit and clearly offers economic benefits in attracting and expanding visitor spend to the town centre and opens up further opportunities for external funding.

“The sculpture centre will give us the opportunity to host touring sculpture collections as well as acting as the visitor centre for the whole of the Irwell Sculpture Trail. We aim to open the sculpture centre by May next year.”

The new development will require a one–off council capital investment of £75,000 and has already attached a successful funding bid from the Arts Council England of £27,000.

Cllr Lewis added: “Bury has already established itself as an international arts leader, most recently in its income generating tours of China. This innovative approach means that the centre will be able to attract sources of funding that most other local authorities don’t bring in. So while we are planning major art exhibitions, the new centre will have two new community learning spaces with comprehensive learning and family activities planned.

“It is anticipated that Bury Arts Services’ existing partnerships with international bodies, universities and organisations such as the Henry Moore Foundation will enable the centre to sustain a dynamic programme and enjoy a national profile.”

To accommodate the sculpture centre, the ground floor layout of the library will be altered. 

Cllr Lewis added: “No library services are being withdrawn. We will still have a lending area, children’s area and a reference area, along with the very popular computer suite and its adjacent quiet area for study.”  

ENDS

Press release issued: 12 September 2013.