The Higgins Art Gallery & Museum, Bedford
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| Industry | Museums or Libraries |
|---|---|
| Location | Castle Lane, Bedford., Bedfordshire, United Kingdom |
| Introduction | The Higgins Art Gallery & Museum, Bedford will unite on one site three previous cultural venues: Cecil Higgins Art Gallery, Bedford Museum and Bedford Gallery. Following the merging of staffing and operations in 2005, a £5.8m project is now allowing the buildings to be joined together and redeveloped throughout. The Higgins is based around the historic buildings of the Castle Brewery and a Victorian family home, both built by the Higgins family in the mid-19th century. It is located in attractive gardens in the centre of town, on the site once occupied by Bedford Castle. When it reopens in Spring 2013, The Higgins will explore the inspiring stories of local people and showcase the wonderful collections left for the enjoyment of local people. These include the Cecil Higgins Collection of fine and decorative arts, with its world-class watercolour and print collections and unique groups of work by the designers William Burges and Edward Bawden. The Higgins will be more than an art gallery and museum – it will be a ‘hub’, used as a venue for a wide range of activities, including family events, social functions for local communities, talks and workshops. |