BRADFORD'S Peace Museum has taken a major step forward in reaching its goal to raise £20,000 towards a new base in the heart of the city. 

The museum, the only one of its kind in the UK, launched a crowdfunding campaign to help achieve its mission of moving to more visible, accessible and spacious premises and has already raised more than £10,000.

The aim is to show more of its nationally important collection in the gallery rather than in storage, put on more ambitious exhibitions, and have a purpose-built education space.

With the support of visitors, followers and the local community, the Peace Museum is looking to continue its vital work in building peace and shining a spotlight on stories of non-violent social justice movements.

Moving to new premises will also help the museum overcome the big challenge of accessibility, as the current spot in Piece Hall Yard is not currently accessible to everyone. 

The coronavirus pandemic has made the move all the more urgent, with the current space being too small to safely allow larger groups or school classes to visit, which is a vital source of income for the museum.

Named IMAGINE: Help build the future of The Peace Museum, the crowdfunding campaign is part of the nationwide #SupportOurMuseums initiative from Museums Association and fundraising website Crowdfunder.  

Charlotte Hall, Curator at The Peace Museum said: “Over the last five years we have been putting our all into expanding the scope of our work and being as collaborative as we can. We’re almost half-way to our fundraising goal for new premises, and now it’s time for us to call on our visitors, friends and supporters to help us realise our vision."

The long-term goal is to raise £200,000 to secure the move, of which almost half has been raised through fundraising efforts so far. 

Si Cunningham, Chair of Bradford Civic Society, highlighted the importance of the museum both in Bradford and in the wider realm.

He said: “We’re really proud to have something like the Peace Museum in Bradford. Not only is it unique, but its collection is of real international significance.  The city’s independent museums play a vital role in our cultural offer, and supporting them will only help us attract more visitors to Bradford.

"We’re all really excited to see what the next chapter brings for The Peace Museum, especially if it involves the development of a new and more accessible site in the city.”

The Museums Association said: "We have teamed up with Crowdfunder to launch a new UK-wide campaign to support our fantastic museums as they face the huge challenges of the coronavirus pandemic. Museums change lives.

"And they need the support of communities now more than ever.”

Visit: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/thepeacemuseum. The campaign ends on December 21.