The Cheltenham Trust shares plans for the complete re-design of The Wilson Museum and Art Gallery

The Cheltenham Trust is pleased to announce the complete re-design of The Wilson Museum and Art Gallery.

The significant refurbishment of the internal layout and spaces at Cheltenham’s leading cultural hub will create a vibrant new arts café and flexible ancillary spaces on the ground floor, the Sir Charles Irving Community Art Gallery on the mezzanine first floor, and new artists’ studios on the third floor. The Wilson will re-open in July 2022.

The £500,000 scheme has been funded by a £250,000 bequest from the Sir Charles Irving Trust and matched funding from Cheltenham Borough Council.

Louis Eperjesi, chair of the board of trustees of The Cheltenham Trust, said: “After months of hard work to create the right designs, we are pleased to unveil these for everyone to see this new dynamic cultural hub for the whole community, and visitors to Cheltenham. The Wilson will offer café culture complemented by a comprehensive cultural programme featuring talks, workshops, creative events, local and national exhibitions and shows, showcasing the very best of Cheltenham’s cultural community and history. The re-design will re-establish The Wilson inviting new audiences and increased footfall.”

Since the initial funding was secured from the Sir Charles Irving Trust in summer 2020, the trust recognised, following a tendering process, that this funding would not enable the creation of an improved, significant visitor destination.

A robust business case was developed to seek further funding support, and Cheltenham Borough Council awarded matched funding in autumn 2021. A preferred supplier was appointed based on the tendering process to produce designs for the ground floor, the mezzanine and, in addition, the third floor for new artists’ studios.

Gareth Edmundson, chief executive of Cheltenham Borough Council, said: “This is great news for Cheltenham and will also complement the opening of the transformational Minster Exchange and Minster Gardens project in the heart of our town centre.

“The new space will help broaden the appeal of arts and culture to a wider audience and further strengthen that vital community connection. We hope that, in the near future, it will enable a greater selection of the council’s art collections to be displayed through a wider programming of exhibitions.

“We’ve seen a number of new openings in the high street over the last few months and The Wilson will add much more to Cheltenham’s high street offer.”

Tony Hilder, representing The Sir Charles Irving Trust, said: “The Sir Charles Irving Trust is delighted to support this exciting refurbishment of Cheltenham’s leading cultural hub, The Wilson Museum and Art Gallery. The opening of the new Sir Charles Irving Community Art Gallery will bring a new dimension and community focus to the venue and Cheltenham, as well as creating a legacy to Sir Charles Irving that will celebrate and showcase the talent of his home town.”

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