Turner’s House Trust is one of 445 heritage organisations across the country set to receive a lifesaving financial boost from the government thanks to the £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund to help them through the coronavirus pandemic.

Turner’s House in Twickenham, was designed and lived in by the great landscape artist J.M.W Turner and has recently been restored and opened to the public. The house’s trust has been awarded up to £58,800 to support it remaining open during the pandemic.

This vital funding is from the Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage and the Heritage Stimulus Fund – funded by Government and administered at arm’s length by Historic England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Both funds are part of the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund which is designed to secure the future of Britain’s museums, galleries, theatres, independent cinemas, heritage sites and music venues with emergency grants and loans.

433 organisations will receive a share of £67 million from the Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage to help with the costs of operating and reopening sites that are a source of pride for communities across the country.

Oliver Dowden, Culture Secretary, said:

“As a nation it is essential that we preserve our heritage and celebrate and learn from our past. This massive support package will protect our shared heritage for future generations, save jobs and help us prepare for a cultural bounceback post covid.”

Michael Deriaz, Vice Chair, Turner’s House Trust, said:

 “Like so many in the sector, Turner’s House Trust had to close for four months of lockdown and has only been able to reopen with limited visitor capacity. Nevertheless, our staff and volunteers have worked tirelessly to ensure visitors receive a warm welcome at this unique heritage site in a COVID-19 compliant environment.  Visitors have appreciated this particularly intimate experience of both the house and the much-publicised Turner and the Thames exhibition which has been extended until October 31st, 2020. The Trust is hugely grateful for the Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage which will provide vital support to Turner’s House in this difficult period including supporting our plans for our 2021 exhibition.”

Ros Kerslake, Chief Executive of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, said:

 “It is absolutely right that investing in heritage should be a priority during this crisis and this support by Government is crucial.  Heritage creates jobs and economic prosperity, is a major driver for tourism and makes our towns, cities, and rural areas better places to live.  All of this is so important for our wellbeing and will be particularly vital when we start to emerge from this incredibly difficult time. Our heritage is still facing a perilous future – we are not out of the woods yet.  But this hugely welcome funding from Government, and the money we continue to invest from the National Lottery, has undoubtedly stopped heritage and the organisations that care for it being permanently lost.”

turnershouse.org. Social Media Twitter: @TurnersHouse  Facebook Instagram.

 

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Contact for more information: Lucinda MacPherson, Heritage Communications Consultant Lucinda.macpherson@gmail.com Tel: 0790 580 9488.

Notes for Editors

Images

Turner and the Thames exhibition has been extended until October 31^st. It features rare oil sketches at Turner’s House, Sandycombe Lodge, 40 Sandycoombe Road, St Margarets, Twickenham TW1 2LR. Due to the current Covid-19 situation, advance booking is essential. Visitors will receive a short introduction to the house in the garden and then enjoy a self-guided visit from Wednesday-Saturday: 12pm-1pm-2pm-3pm (last entrance).

Please note that copyright for the four Turner paintings shared here belongs to Tate and must be credited as such and only be used in connection with the Turner’s House exhibition. These images cannot be used for commercial gain eg any printed material that has a charge at point of supply (i.e. books, guides etc.); any off-site marketing where advertising space has had to be paid for and merchandise.

The Ferryman Project

The Ferryman Project: Sharing Works of Art is part of the part of The Ferryman Partnership Programme inspired by the recent acquisition of William Stott of Oldham’s Le Passeur (The Ferryman) 1881 for Tate’s National Collection of British Art. It is supported by National Lottery players through The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the John Ellerman Foundation and Art Fund.

heritagefund.org.uk; tate.org.uk; artfund.org; ellerman.org.uk.

Turner’s House Trust is also grateful to two local sponsors. Founded in the arts, Gentle Mathias Solicitors are proud to sponsor the Turner and the Thames exhibition. Gentle Mathias is a niche law practice, with offices in Central London and partners resident in Richmond, providing a range of specialist services tailored to meet the needs of their clients gentlemathias.com/.

Cantell & Co, a bespoke Sales & Lettings agency, based in Richmond, have also supported the exhibition. Their passion for people and property is reflected in their results – Rated No1 Estate Agent branch in Great Britain 2019 Sales & Lettings – Best Estate Agent Guide, Supported by Rightmove cantellandco.com/.

 

October 11, 2020