Derby Museums is making significant updates to one of its cherished sites, Pickford’s House. A Grade I listed building erected in 1770 by prominent architect Joseph Pickford, the museum has been a living testament to Georgian life and fashion since 1988.
With thanks to funding awarded by the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) and The Wolfson Foundation through the DCMS/Wolfson Museums and Galleries Improvement Fund, Pickford’s House will undergo a comprehensive facelift from spring 2024, with each room receiving new interpretation, displays, and more immersive layout exhibits.
These enhancements aim to elevate the visitor experience and offer a fresh perspective on the rich history encapsulated within the walls of this architectural gem.
Among the notable updates to the project, Glowfrog Video Production (www.glowfrogvideo.com) have offered their services pro-bono to create a captivating welcome video for the museum.
This video will provide an engaging overview of the house’s history and cater to disabled visitors who may face accessibility challenges, ensuring an inclusive experience for all.
Matt Middleton, Director at Glowfrog Video Production, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating: “Offering our services pro-bono for Pickford’s House aligns with our core values of supporting local community, and I’m particularly excited about this project given that Pickford’s is a site I’ve visited countless times over the last thirty years or so.
“It will be fantastic to provide a welcome video for all visitors to the museum, offering a deeper insight into its history and local significance.”
Jennifer Cuadrado, Director of Development at Derby Museums, emphasised the importance of these updates, saying: “These updates represent a significant stride in our mission to make history come alive for our diverse audience.
“These enhancements, including the welcome video offered by Glowfrog, not only preserve the architectural and cultural legacy of Pickford’s House but also align with our broader mission of making history accessible to diverse audiences.”
Laura Phillips, Head of Interpretation and Display at Derby Museums, added: “The meticulous curation of each room at Pickford’s House reflects our commitment to preserving and presenting history in an engaging manner.
“Glowfrog’s offer to create an inclusive experience through the welcome video resonates with our vision of making the museum accessible to all.”
As a gesture of appreciation and recognition, Derby Museums encourages local businesses to explore Glowfrog Video Production’s website at www.glowfrogvideo.com for more information about their award-winning video production services.
About Glowfrog Video Production:
Glowfrog Video Production is a leading video production company based in Derby, known for its innovative and high-quality services. With a commitment to community involvement, Glowfrog takes pride in supporting local initiatives and contributing to the cultural enrichment of the region. If your business is looking for award-winning videography services, visit www.glowfrogvideo.com.
About Derby Museums:
Founded in 2012, Derby Museums is an independent charitable trust that manages three museums in the city, the Museum and Art Gallery, Pickford’s House and the new Museum of Making at Derby Silk Mill and holds and curates all the art and collections within them, including the world’s largest collection of paintings by Joseph Wright of Derby.
Derby Museums inspires all generations to be makers, artists and thinkers. It aims to bring as many of the objects and treasures in the collections into the public domain as possible and to present them in ways that delight and inspire via education and learning programmes, events and exhibitions, in order to share knowledge and inspire creativity and making amongst the people of Derby.
As a charitable trust, Derby Museums relies on funding and grants from organisations, as well as donations from businesses and the general public, all of which is gratefully received in order to ensure that admission to the museums remains free for all. It is also a National Portfolio Organisation supported by Arts Council England.
Last year, Derby Museums’ Museum of Making was selected as one of five finalists for Art Fund Museum of the Year Award 2022, the world’s largest museum prize. www.artfund.org/museum-of-the-year
derbymuseums.org
About the DCMS/Wolfson Museums and Galleries Improvement Fund:
The DCMS/Wolfson Museums and Galleries Improvement Fund provides capital funding for museums and galleries across England to improve displays, protect collections and make exhibitions more accessible to visitors. In 2022-24, DCMS and the Wolfson Foundation each contribute £2 million to the Fund, which has benefitted more than 400 projects in its 20-year history.
About the Wolfson Foundation:
The Wolfson Foundation is an independent charity with a focus on research and education. Its aim is to support civil society by investing in excellent projects in science, health, heritage, humanities and the arts.
Since it was established in 1955, some £1 billion (£2 billion in real terms) has been awarded to more than 12,000 projects throughout the UK, all on the basis of expert review.
