The 128-year-old museum, which is part of The University of Manchester, was designed by famous Victorian architect Alfred Waterhouse, best known for London’s Natural History Museum.

New spaces

The grant will enable the Museum to create a new South Asia exhibition, which will be the UK's first permanent gallery to explore the stories, experiences and contributions of diaspora communities. The gallery will contain a unique performance space, dedicated to showing the very best live music, dance and performance from and inspired by South Asia.

These redevelopments, including a new, more accessible entrance, will help the museum fulfil its ambition of becoming the UK’s “most imaginative, inclusive and caring museum.”

[quote=Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester]"Manchester Museum holds a special place in my affection"[/quote]

Alongside the building work, events and workshops will be created with local artists and communities, addressing key issues like climate change, ageing and migration.

The museum predicts hundreds of thousands of new visitors, including an additional 11,000 school children each year.

Opportunities for Greater Manchester

Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “As Mayor I’ve pledged to support our thriving cultural institutions across Greater Manchester. We must continue to invest in our cultural facilities, not only to attract new visitors from the UK and beyond, but for the benefit of people across our city-region.

“Manchester Museum holds a special place in my affection, having spent many a long Sunday there when my kids were young. I am thrilled to see them expanding and improving their facilities. Manchester Museum acts as a community hub and through this Heritage Lottery funding this inclusive museum is able to continue to provide opportunities for all communities across Greater Manchester.”

Ros Kerslake, Chief Executive of HLF, said: “The Courtyard Project will provide a fantastic resource for the people of Greater Manchester, and further afield.

"Manchester Museum is so much more than a university facility, being open and accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds. The opportunity to showcase world-class heritage and culture outside of London is brilliant news for the region, and is something Heritage Lottery Fund is proud to be able to support.”

Work will start in August 2018, with finished building reopening in late 2020.