The National Glass Centre (NGC), part of UniSpace Sunderland, will undergo a £2.25 million large scale refurbishment and redevelopment project beginning this month, doubling the capacity of the exhibitions and events space at the centre.
An iconic and architecturally unique venue, the NGC has successfully attracted £750,000 from the Arts Council England’s Large Capital Programme, £337,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund, £50,000 from the Foyle Foundation, as well as £975,000 investment from the University of Sunderland.
The investment will contribute towards an ambitious re-development project, which will see major improvements to the NGC’s gallery and learning spaces. It will also contribute to the cost of the addition of new electric furnaces in the centre’s integrated Hot Glass Studio, which can be used for demonstrations and workshops during events held at the venue, improving the Centre’s environmental sustainability and significantly reducing its carbon footprint.
The upgrade plans for the centre, which has been closed to the public since 1st January 2013, will allow the venue to host large international events and exhibitions as well as developing the education and resource rooms to create an enhanced experience for the attendee.
Sharon Olver, Commercial Services Manager for UniSpace Sunderland, commented: “The National Glass Centre is already considered a premier national attraction. The second phase of the refurbishment project will allow us to add yet more value to the events we host as well as strengthening our push to an international market.
“The fact that we can now hold events with much higher capacities, combined with the unique incentives that we offer, enhances UniSpace’s position as a leading academic events space. Moreover, with this new development, the National Glass Centre will attract exhibitions from national and internationally acclaimed artists, offering an exceptional events space within the UK market.”
Director of the National Glass Centre James Bustard commented: “We are delighted that our partners at Arts Council England, The Heritage Lottery Fund and The Foyle Foundation have recognised the great potential of the National Glass Centre and invested so significantly in its future. This investment will strengthen the Centre’s reputation as a centre for excellence and enable us to play a major role in the growing cultural landscape of the City of Sunderland and celebrate the City’s rich glass-making heritage.”
The project is due for completion in the Summer of 2013, the with a high profile launch event planned and three exhibitions of national significance.
For further information visit www.nationalglasscentre.com.
