Yorkshire museums and libraries to get £3m funding boost

The Millennium Gallery in Sheffield will receive almost £600,000 in government funding

Museums and libraries across Yorkshire are to receive £3m in government funding, it has been announced.

The Millennium Gallery in Sheffield, Yorkshire Sculpture Park in Wakefield and Kiplin Hall near Catterick are among those to share in the funding.

The money is from the government's Cultural Investment Fund, a nation-wide initiative.

A spokesperson said it would benefit the "incredible culture and heritage on offer across Yorkshire".

The funding will go towards restorations, upgrades and improving visitors' experiences, according to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Sheffield's Millennium Gallery is set to receive almost £600,000.

Its chief executive Kim Streets said the money would pay for new, state-of-the-art units which would "better control conditions in the gallery spaces and improve energy efficiency".

The 200-year-old Grade II listed Cut Bridge at Yorkshire Sculpture Park will be repaired with a £250,000 grant.

Yorkshire Sculpture Park will receive £250,000 to repair a Grade II listed bridge

Meanwhile, Wakefield Libraries will receive nearly £450,000 for a children's library which Wakefield Council said would deliver a "transformative experience" for children and families and cater for "those with sensory and physical disabilities".

Mark Lynam, the council's corporate director for regeneration, environment and economic growth, added: "Equal opportunities and access are at the heart of the design concepts for this space."

Kiplin Hall in North Yorkshire will receive more than £400,000 for emergency roof repairs and City of York Council is due to get £250,000 for its libraries.

The funding will come out of a £33m pot for improving nearly 70 museums and libraries across England.

In total, 26 museums are to receive funding as well as 43 library services.

Arts and Heritage Minister Lord Parkinson said: "This government funding awarded to these museums and libraries will help to support restoration projects, make environmental improvements to save on their bills, and help to create a new children's library so these organisations can continue to be valuable assets to the community as well as boost the local economy."