Lotto funding bid proposed to fully reopen museum

Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery has reopened in phases this year, but many of its spaces are still not in use

Proposals to fully reopen Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery (BMAG) have been unveiled, as the city council considers bidding for funding.

The city centre museum closed in 2020 for building work and has reopened in phases this year, but the majority of its spaces are still not in use.

In a report, Birmingham City Council said the work had highlighted that more refurbishment was needed, with the condition of some areas deemed poor.

The report, due to be considered by cabinet members next week, has proposed submitting a "stage one" bid to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for £9m to go towards a reopening project thought to cost about £10m in total.

The document estimated that BMAG would be fully open by 2030/31, if the funding application was successful, yielding 42 galleries fitted out with collections, an accessible multi-faith room, a quiet area for neurodiverse visitors, and essential refurbishments.

The outcome of the application would be known by April 2026, and it would then need to be followed by a stage two bid, according to the report.

The Round Room gallery, which has displayed art for almost 150 years, is one of the spaces that have reopened

The report explained that electrical rewiring work at the museum had revealed new issues, such as dilapidated walls, ceilings and floors.

“The collections storage and facilities used by staff and volunteers are in an even poorer state of repair,” it stated.

The report also said BMAG's temporary closure was a financial pressure on the council, because it was having a “detrimental impact” on the Birmingham Museums Trust's (BMT) ability to generate income that helped make the museum service sustainable.

“BMT have submitted compensation claims for this loss for the past three financial years,” the document said, adding that a further claim would be made this financial year.

The proposals are due to be considered by council cabinet members on 12 November.

The museum spaces that have reopened this year include The Round Room gallery, which has displayed art for almost 150 years.

The museum also partially reopened in 2022 for the Commonwealth Games.