Museums, libraries and archives
Through objects, collections, film, documents and oral histories they help to give us a sense of place and identity.
Thanks to National Lottery players, since 1994 we have awarded £2.4billion to 5,900 museum, library, archive and collection-based projects across the UK.
What do we support?
Our funding supports institutions large and small, including:
- national and local authority museums, libraries and archives
- historic libraries
- community archives
- institutions with heritage collections
Project ideas
Our funding could help people:
- create exciting new exhibition and learning spaces
- attract more diverse audiences
- interpret and open up acquisitions
- develop collections
For more inspiration, see the stories below or browse projects we've funded.
How to get funding
Our National Lottery Heritage Grants programme is open for applications.
Hub
Dynamic Collections
Videos
Dynamic Collections: a visit to Craven Museum
Projects
Voices Through Time: The Story of Care
Hundreds of volunteers are helping children’s charity Coram digitise and share its historic archive online.
Projects
Touching stitches: embroidery access for the blind
This innovative project explored ways to enable blind and partially sighted people to access the Edinburgh College of Art’s historic textile collection, which spans over three centuries.
Projects
Sharing Barrow's past, present and future
The Dock Museum in Barrow-in-Furness has undergone a major refurbishment to celebrate the area’s rich shipbuilding and engineering heritage.
Stories
How artists can uncover hidden histories and fill gaps in the archives
Projects
Bradford’s unique museum exploring peace moves to Saltaire
The Peace Museum has made its collection more accessible in its new permanent home at Salt Mills in Saltaire, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Blogs
How to engage young and diverse audiences with your archives
Projects
Choreozone: Activating an Archive
Clod Ensemble is celebrating and sharing the lived experience of performance artists, improving access to the collections and inspiring a younger generation.
Projects
A state-of-the-art home for the Suffolk Archives collections at The Hold
A flagship heritage building equipped with the latest technology and facilities, The Hold is enabling people to learn more about their heritage.
Stories
Case study: The Scottish Crannog Centre
Projects
A Museum of Two Halves: Wrexham celebrates football and community heritage
Wrexham’s museum is bringing football heritage back to its historic home in Wales thanks to a £2.7million award.
Projects
Lead turns Gold! The Museum of Lead Mining is 50
Situated at the top of the Mennock Pass the museum is a hub for information, equipment and permits for gold panning in the area.
Stories
Case study: Roots and Branches
News
£7.6million awarded to unique museums around the UK
Projects
Hopetown: celebrating the North East’s railway heritage
A state-of-the-art visitor attraction and community engagement scheme celebrates the historic Stockton and Darlington railway line.