On Thursday 20 April 2023, Bradford’s National Science and Media Museum invited partners, friends and funders to a special event at the House of Lords to showcase its ambitious plans for new Sound and Vision galleries, which are due to open in 2024.
The House of Lords event was hosted by Lord Bilimoria, with speakers including Jo Quinton-Tulloch, Director of the National Science and Media Museum, and Lopa Patel, Trustee of the Science Museum Group and Chair of the Advisory Board of the National Science and Media Museum.
As part of the Science Museum Group, the world’s leading alliance of science museums, the National Science and Media Museum is home to a world-class collection devoted to the science and culture of sound and image technologies. It is also home to three cinema screens, including Europe’s first IMAX theatre and the world’s last remaining Cinerama format theatre.
The new permanent galleries will transform the way the museum showcases one of the greatest collections of world-changing sound and vision technologies, comprising 3 million objects. The £6 million project is generously supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund with thanks to National Lottery Players, however the museum seeks further support to deliver this ‘once in a lifetime’ project and its accompanying activity plan.
Created in close consultation with local communities, the Sound and Vision galleries will make the museum a cultural cornerstone as Bradford becomes UK City of Culture in 2025. Sound and Vision is also aligned with the city’s ambitious culture strategy Culture is our Plan. and supports the wider region’s commitment to building a digital economy.
Jo Quinton-Tulloch, Director of the National Science and Media Museum, comments: “Our Sound and Vision galleries and accompanying programme of activities will completely transform our visitor offer both in terms of content and accessibility.
“By working collaboratively with local audiences, we will ensure our new galleries connect our communities to our world-class collections and truly reflect that Bradford is one of the UK’s most diverse and fastest-growing cities.”
In the lead up to City of Culture in 2025, Sound and Vision will re-energise Bradford’s cultural offer through three distinct focus areas— the internationally significant Science Museum Group collections; STEM; and working collaboratively, increasing participation with the collections. The development of the new galleries will explore key stories which are relevant to all our lives, including the creation of the world’s first photograph; Louis Le Prince’s ground-breaking work in moving images and film; and the forgotten pioneer of the pixel who created the building blocks of digital photography.
The project will also engage visitors in STEM by uncovering the science behind the everyday, showing that science is relevant to everything we do. Working with local communities and priority groups, the accompanying activity plan includes opportunities to collect community stories, inspiring more people to reimagine their relationship with STEM and support them with opportunities for employment and upskilling.
The Sound and Vision galleries will open in late 2024. To facilitate this transformation, the museum has announced a period of temporary closure from June 2023 to summer 2024, however Pictureville Cinema and Bar will continue to operate throughout. The period of closure will also see the installation of a new passenger lift and improvements to the main entrance, increasing the museum’s overall accessibility and relevance to key audiences.
For more information on Sound and Vision, please visit the National Science and Media Museum website.
About the National Science and Media Museum
The National Science and Media Museum in Bradford, West Yorkshire, opened in 1983, and has since become one of the most visited UK museums outside London. It draws on more than three million objects from its national collection to explore the science and culture of image and sound technologies, and their impact on our lives.
The Museum creates special exhibitions, interactive galleries and activities for families and adults, and is home to three cinemas, including Europe’s first IMAX cinema screen and the world’s only public Cinerama screen outside the USA. Entry to the Museum is free. www.scienceandmediamuseum.org.uk