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The National Portrait Gallery reopened its doors on 22 June 2023, following the most extensive transformation of its building since 1896. The transformational project comprises a complete redisplay of the Collection, a significant refurbishment of the building, the creation of new public spaces, a more welcoming and accessible visitor entrance and a new learning centre.
Over 1,100 portraits are now on display, an increase of over a third from pre-closure. Responding to audience feedback, a key aim of the project was to present an inclusive and dynamic picture of the people who have contributed to the rich history of the United Kingdom. As part of this, the Gallery has taken positive steps to enhance and increase representation. For example, 48% of the portraits in the 20th and 21st century galleries are of women (up from 35%), and 11% of all works on display are portraits of UK ethnic minority sitters (up from 3%). The historic and contemporary collections have been expanded through the acquisition of key works like Sir Joshua Reynolds' Portrait of Mai (Omai)
During the closure period, the Gallery facilitated an unprecedented number of ambitious partnerships with museums, local groups and schools to bring its Collection closer to communities across the UK. The gallery is a genuine cultural hub within the heart of the west end and has made portraiture accessible to many who might not have previously thought it was for them.
A brilliant way of learning about nature in a theme park. £1m over three years has been invested in this fantastic oasis of adventure right in the heart of The Scottish Highlands.
The new red squirrel trail opened in July, 2024 and lets young and old run through an ancient pine forest, via a timber boardwalk on the ground and 150 metres above via an aerial netted walkway.
On the ground there are seven sustainable and immersive displays which tell the fascinating story, of how over the last 2000 years many of the animals and birds of this ancient forest were wiped out and have only recently made a sensational come back.
Using cartoon drawings, the serious subject is handled lightly, but with great knowledge , giving a harrowing account of two centuries of carnage when bounties were paid on white-tailed eagles talons, ospreys were shot to be stuffed and egg collectors hastened the demise of the rarest birds.
The boards show how many have now returned to the forests and the educational benefits are only bettered by the health benefits of the crystal clear air.
The park brings around 160,000 visitors a year to this remote corner of Scotland.
The Irish Wake is immortalised by writers, poets, folklorists and movie makers and now there’s a museum devoted to one of Ireland’s most iconic cultural traditions.
The country’s oldest urban domestic dwelling, a 15th century alms house, whose residents earned their keep praying for the souls of patrons, houses the Irish Wake Museum, part of the Viking Triangle project to breathe new life into disused buildings in Waterford city centre.
Spread over six rooms, different themes associated with death over the centuries are explored through story- telling, sensory elements including, incense, sounds of traditional Irish keening (a centuries old mourning dirge) LED and natural light illuminating fascinating exhibits, which includes a Bronze Age funerary urn and one of Ireland’s oldest death masks. Visitors are urged to ‘Memento Mori’ - remember death –whilst rejoicing in life as no brief candle but a splendid torch held for a moment before handing it on to future generations.
This intimate State and Municipally funded museum has added two full time employees to the overall tally of up to 50 employed at Waterford treasures. In keeping with the spirit of the founders of the alms house, €1 from each admission ticket goes to the Waterford Hospice movement.
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