The Collection: Art and Archaeology, Lincolnshire

What?

• The Collection is a new, state–of-the-art £12.5 million museum
• The museum contains an archaeological collection of artefacts and interactive displays covering 250,000 years of Lincolnshire history. It replaces the former City and County Museum which was housed in a smaller building elsewhere in the city
• The neighbouring Usher Gallery contains a wide ranging collection of fine and decorative art, including paintings by Turner and Lowry, and work by contemporary artists such as Grayson Perry
• The Collection plays a major role in the regeneration of this part of Lincoln

When?

• The Collection opened in October 2005

How?

• Formerly occupied by residential terraces and later a car park, it was decided by Lincoln City Council that the Collection would be an ideal way of regenerating the area, linking the old city to new commercial developments and filling the deficit left with the closure of the existing city museum in 1993.
• CABE, as a key player in the Museum’s evolution, made an important contribution to the design of the building. Firstly, in March 2000 an enabler was appointed by CABE to help with crucial design issues, one of which was selecting an architect; secondly CABE was represented on the Urban Panel which met twice in 2001 to review urban design initiatives in the city, including the museum. Lastly, two CABE design reviews in 2001 which suggested ways to enhance the design were integral to moving the project forward. Link to CABE case study
• The Collection was enabled by funding from Lincoln City Council, English Heritage, the Heritage Lottery Fund, EMDA, ERDF, Arts Council England,  the public, charities and sponsors including Lincolnshire Cooperative and Lincolnshire Economic Action Partnership

Summary

• The Collection attracted around 120,000 visitors in its first year and was one of four attractions nominated for the Gulbenkian Prize for museums and art galleries, the single largest arts prize in the UK
• In 2006 the Collection won awards including one from RIBA, the East Midlands Tourism Large Visitor Attraction Gold Award, Concrete Society category and the Green Apple Environmental Award
• The Collection employs 25 permanent staff
• Adjacent to the Collection is a building project which will provide studios and workspace for creative industries which is part of the planned cultural quarter.
• The museum building has been well received locally and also in the national press. This recognition has helped attract other developers to the area and contributed to its wider regeneration