Museum to get £12m refurbishment

Refurbishment will include new history and science galleries

The Ulster Museum is to get a multi-million pound refurbishment to attract more visitors.

Almost £12m will be spent improving the interior of the Belfast building which houses collections of art, archaeology, local history and natural sciences.

The south Belfast museum is the fourth most popular visitor attraction in Northern Ireland and the refurbishment is aimed at bringing in even more.

The facelift aims to entice those who have never been in a museum before.

The refurbishment will include new history and science galleries, learning zones and visitor areas, such as cafes.

More than £4.5m is being given by the Heritage Lottery fund while the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure is contributing £7m.

It will allow us to build upon the established reputation of the Ulster Museum as a home for inspirational collections, excellent exhibitions and engaging learning and creative programmes Tim Cooke National Museums and Galleries

The department is spending a lot of money to improve the arts infrastructure in Belfast.

Building work at the Grand Opera House has already started and plans are well advanced for a new Lyric Theatre.

Announcements are expected soon on money for the Crescent Arts Centre and the Old Museum Arts Centre.

'Changing society'

NIO minister David Hanson said the work was scheduled to begin towards the end of 2006 and would radically transform the interior of the museum.

"This is not just an investment in the museum; it is an investment in the economic regeneration of the city," he said.

"Modern museums should have a central role to play in the community and must be able to offer facilities which meet the needs of our rapidly changing society."

Tim Cooke, chief executive of the National Museums and Galleries, said it was "a major step forward in revitalising one of Northern Ireland's most important assets".

"It will allow us to build upon the established reputation of the Ulster Museum as a home for inspirational collections, excellent exhibitions and engaging learning and creative programmes," he said.