The annual ‘Museums at Night’ takes place during the third weekend in May 2009 (15th – 17th).
Museums at Night 2009 – Be Part of It
The annual ‘Museums at Night’ takes place during the third weekend in May 2009 (15th – 17th). A national campaign for late night opening across the UK, it seeks to attract people into museums who don’t usually visit, simply by staying open late or by creating special events. It will link up with the European wide campaign of the same name (La Nuit de Musées), which takes place on Saturday 16th May 2009.
The UK equivalent, funded by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) and organised by Culture24 takes place over the weekend of Friday May 15, Saturday May 16 and Sunday May 17 2009. This year the event is simple: open up your museum or heritage site, at night, and do whatever you want to do.
Many museums have already signed up including, The National Gallery in London and The Sainsbury Centre for Art in Norwich. Museums at Night 2009 will extend across the sector, from the big national museums to smaller, regional museums, which together will reveal the rich and vibrant nature of the UK museum sector.
Roy Clare, Chief Executive of MLA said: “Modern life for many people is a 24 hour experience. Museums at Night responds to this round-the-clock lifestyle by providing a rich and unusual opportunity for everyone to spend quality time browsing the great diversity of UK collections. I am delighted the MLA is able to support Culture24 in encouraging people, especially those who would never normally go to their local museum, to devote an evening to discovering the free resources that lie just on their doorstep. Previous years have shown how being involved in a museum at night event is a wonderfully rewarding and engaging experience.”
The Museums at Night event has grown quickly over the last few years. In 2008, 2,200 museums in 40 European countries took part and it is hoped that UK museums will be able to rise to the challenge and respond by generating unique social events, screenings, tours, or simply by opening later.
The weekend also aims to ensure that in the wake of Museums and Galleries Month, the enthusiasm generated among museums and galleries for a joint promotion across the UK is not lost and the profile created in the media of May as a 'museum month' is maintained.
All museums and galleries and heritage attractions are welcome to take part and benefit from the European-wide publicity and also participate in the debate about the role of museums in our cultural life.
Many museums have already been involved in a ‘Museums at Night’ event and know what a rewarding experience it can be. Last year Museums and Galleries Month worked with over 150 venues on a range of Museum at Night events. For 2009 Culture24 is developing a UK-wide promotion, including competitions, public participation, brand and PR support to ensure that UK museums can build on the achievements of previous years.
To access more information and download the media toolkit, press pack and publicity materials, for Museums at Night visit the 24 Hour Museum site and follow the Museums at Night logo on the homepage. www.24hourmuseum.org.uk
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For more information and images please contact: Ruth Cobb at Mosaic Communications ruth@mosaicmc.co.uk or call 01273 623 266.
Notes to Editors:
Museums at Night 2009
1. Museums at Night 2009 is funded by MLA and organised by Culture24.
2. La Nuit De Musée was introduced by the French Culture Department to succeed Printemps de Musées and takes place on the Saturday nearest to International Museums Day (May 18). It is now supported by the Council of Europe. In 2008, 2,200 museums in 40 European countries took part.