34 Paisley Museum Reimagined
PAISLEY MUSEUM REIMAGINED
Paisley Museum is being transformed into a world-class attraction housing the town ’ s outstanding collections and bringing to the life the stories of its people , pattern , and much more , due to reopen in 2024 .
The work is the flagship project within a wider investment in venues and outdoor spaces aimed at using Paisley ’ s unique and internationally-significant cultural and heritage assets to transform the area ’ s future .
When it reopens , the revamped museum will bring visitors into the town from throughout Scotland , the UK and abroad .
The project will create the following :
• fully-accessible entrance courtyard and hall , creating a dynamic and inviting presence on the High Street and a contemporary face for the museum
• external and internal repairs to preserve the architectural features of the A-listed main building and Coats Observatory , the oldest public observatory in Scotland
• a new wing to the west of the existing building
• an outdoor garden and new public space for the town , opening up previously-hidden views of the observatory
• an expansion of the museum into the space formerly occupied by the old Paisley Central Library
• capacity to double the number of objects from Paisley ’ s internationally-significant collections which can go on show
• internal renovations to make the buildings more accessible to all
• café-restaurant and shop
• dedicated learning spaces
• a new heritage centre to study local history
• interactive weaving studio , keeping alive our traditional textile skills ;
• Who is leading the redesign
The project is being led by a team based within OneRen , who will operate the reopened museum .
The building was redesigned by world-renowned architects AL _ A - who have worked on landmark projects across the globe , including the V & A museum in London .
AL _ A ’ s founder - Stirling Prize winner Amanda Levete - described the Paisley Museum Reimagined project as “ one of the most radical briefs I have read .... this is not only about finding the way to best show the museum ’ s collection , it ’ s also about showing the world how an ambitious cultural project can have a profound impact on a community and its identity .”
The Paisley Museum Reimagined project is being co-designed in partnership with the local community and the project team have worked with hundreds of local people and groups to capture and help tell their stories .
Around half of the £ 45m project cost is coming from Renfrewshire Council . The project is also being supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund , the Scottish Government and its Regeneration Capital Grant Fund , as well as a number of other trusts , foundations and private donors .
The Paisley Museum Reimagined fundraising team are running the capital appeal to help fund the project and you can read more on their website .