National Science and Media Museum to re-open open in 2025

The National Science and Media Museum, which was due to open its doors this summer, will now re-open in 2025.

The museum temporarily closed last June to undergo the major £6 million ‘Sound and Vision’ project, which is being supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Artist impression of Everywhere (Image: The National Science and Media Museum)The project includes two new permanent galleries, a passenger lift, and improvements to the main entrance. 

It is now anticipated that the museum will open in two phases - with the building welcoming visitors at the start of Bradford district’s City of Culture year, and the new Sound and Vision galleries launching later in 2025.

The new galleries will showcase four key themes Innovation, Identities, Storytelling, and Everywhere.

The "unforeseen delays" are due to the excavation of an additional passenger lift shaft.

Artist impression of Identities (Image: The National Science and Media Museum)Jo Quinton-Tulloch, Director of the National Science and Media Museum said: “Our new Sound and Vision galleries will completely transform the museum’s visitor offer by showcasing our incredible collections and ensuring visitors can find stories that resonate with them.

“Having an additional passenger lift is a crucial part of our transformation that will enable us to welcome many more visitors in 2025 and beyond.

"Despite extensive survey work before the excavation commenced, our contractors encountered an unexpected make-up of ground at the base of the lift, which took much longer to excavate than anticipated.

"Whilst the impact of this delay in the short term is frustrating, our Sound and Vision project will future-proof the museum for decades to come."

Artist impression of Storytelling (Image: The National Science and Media Museum)She added: “Our new gallery designs reveal how the spaces will be dynamic, interactive, and inspiring, underlining how all areas of our collection from photography to video gaming are embedded in every aspect of our lives.

"Visitors will be able to see the first ever photographic image; have a go at being a sound engineer; step inside the studio of a local radio station and enter a live art installation.

"We’ve also worked closely with local communities to ensure we’re telling stories that are relevant to Bradford, showcasing the creativity and diversity of our home city.

"We look forward to welcoming visitors back into the museum and into our new Sound and Vision galleries in 2025.”

Helen Featherstone, from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, added: “It is incredibly exciting to see the designs of the new gallery spaces as part of the Sound and Vision project, which we’re thrilled to be supporting thanks to National Lottery players.

"The transformation of the National Science and Media Museum will ensure this national and local treasure is a star attraction for City of Culture 2025,  and it will also have a lasting and meaningful future with local people and visitors enjoying it for generations to come.

"Improving access to the museum is an important element of the project, so although there is a short delay, this work will enable more people to experience the wonders of science and media.” 

The museum said a 'vibrant activity plan' sits alongside the development of the new galleries, supporting greater access, representation, and volunteering opportunities, focused on enabling more people to engage with the museum.

The museum says it has engaged and consulted with community leaders, access and equality groups, young people, and schools including SHINE West Bowling, Morley Street Resource Centre, Bradford Deaf Centre, and others.

More than 100  volunteers have contributed over 1,600 hours of time to consultations and engagement activities.

Volunteering opportunities will continue throughout the project's delivery, with participants expected to contribute an additional 400 hours to further activities. 

The museum’s Youth Forum, a group of young people from across the Bradford district, is also helping to inform and shape the project and the future of the museum.

During the extended temporary closure, the museum says it will continue to engage with audiences. 

Since June, the museum’s learning team has been taking its ‘Visiting You’ programme of educational workshops and activities to schools and community venues, reaching out to more than 6,000 school children to date.

The team has also developed a school holiday offer in partnership with venues across the Bradford district. 

It has also been announced that the Pictureville Cinema will remain closed until this summer, but will continue to host a series of cult and classic film screenings at Bradford Alhambra Studios.