A new partnership between the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) and Preston City Council will see the Harris Museum and Library open its doors to students and the public for teaching, research, community engagement and leisure activities. The aim is to further develop the Harris as a city centre cultural and civic hub.
A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed by the two organisations, outlining their plans for developing the arts and wellbeing in Preston. These include developing a city centre resource for supporting artists, producers, projects and SMEs in the creative sector; supporting UCLan students and staff to work with the Harris’s collections; and using the museum’s resources and spaces for students to exhibit their work to the public.
Cultural links between the two institutions have already been established, with Turner Prize winning artist Lubaina Himid, who is a Professor of Contemporary Art at UCLan, having exhibited her work in the gallery.
Councillor Peter Kelly, Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure at Preston City Council, said: “The Harris’ ambition is to be a focal hub for creativity and making, information and learning in spaces that celebrate heritage and promote wellbeing”. It has, he said, “the potential to be far more than an iconic building, and this partnership can only further help in making the vision and ambition become a reality.”
A £10.02m scheme to reimagine the Harris is currently underway to preserve the Grade 1 listed building and develop it as a cultural attraction and community hub for future generations. A £4.5m bid to the National Lottery Heritage Fund, if successful, will enable the project to start in spring 2021.