Museums, libraries and archives
Black Cultural Archives. Credit: Kois Miah
Museums, libraries and archives tell the stories of our cultural heritage.
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. See stories from projects we've funded below.
We provide grants for heritage projects from £10,000–£10million to ensure that heritage is valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future.
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.
Bydd Amgueddfa Llandudno yn ail-ddatblygu eu cyfleusterau
News
Double celebration for two North Wales museums thanks to the National Lottery
Two museums in North Wales are celebrating this week, having secured over £1.1million from the National Lottery to redevelop their facilities and make them better places to visit.
Bydd neuadd yn Sefydliad Mwyngloddio, yn cael ei adnewyddu
News
Mining Institute hits gold
A total of £8.6million in National Lottery grants will preserve UK’s industrial heritage, from Newcastle’s Mining Institute to Sherwood Forest’s industrial past
Gweithdy yn Sain Ffagan
News
Wales’s most popular heritage attraction turns 70
Thanks to National Lottery players, St Fagans National Museum of History near Cardiff in South Wales is currently undergoing the most significant redevelopment in its history, having received £12.5million; the largest grant ever given by HLF in Wales. Now entering the final stages of its innovative
Ros a Richard yn paratoi Sain Ffagan ar gyfer y dyfodol
News
Getting up close and personal with Welsh history at St Fagans
During a recent visit to St Fagans National Museum of History, HLF Chief Executive Ros Kerslake and the Head of HLF in Wales, Richard Bellamy, helped put some finishing touches to a new display.
Mae PROCESSIONS gan Artichoke yn gwahodd merched ledled y DU i ddathlu can mlynedd ers i ferched allu pleidleisio, gyda chomisiynau gan mwy na 100 o artistiaid benywaidd.
14-18 NOW
News
Ballots for both: Britain celebrates centenary of women’s suffrage
Today marks 100 years since women over 30 and all men in Britain were given the right to vote under the Representation of the People Act 1918.
Stories
Changing lives: instilling confidence in Port Talbot teens
A project examining Richard Burton’s diaries gave young people in Port Talbot pride in Wales, in their town, and in themselves.
Ymwelydd yn Hepworth Wakefield, Amgueddfa'r Flwyddyn Art Fund 2017
News
Top 20 museums to visit this week - the ultimate guide
With half-term in full swing and the Museums at Night festival starting today, here is a selection of our favourite day trips and events at National Lottery supported venues.
Aneurin Bevan, Minister of Health, on the first day of the NHS at Park Hospital, Davyhulme
News
National Lottery funding helps mark 70th anniversary of the NHS
Thanks to National Lottery players, The University of Manchester will create the first shared social history of the NHS.
Richard Sandell, Professor of Museum Studies at the University of Leicester
Blogs
Making heritage part of society’s conversations about equality
Richard Sandell explores the capacity for heritage organisations to support the fight for equality for LGBT+ people.
Aelodau o Fforwm Ieuenctid Amgueddfa Cymru gyda’u detholiad nhw o wrthrychau o’r Rhyfel Byd Cyntaf.
Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales
News
Young people in Wales get hands on with heritage
Thanks to National Lottery players, £875,000 is helping involve more young Welsh people in heritage.
Stephen Barlow, Rheolwr Datblygu CDL Cymru
Blogs
Why do we celebrate LGBT heritage?
HLF Wales Development Manager Stephen Barlow reflects on the importance of celebrating his community's heritage
St Mary, Llanfair Clydogau
News
First World War heroes remembered in mid-Wales village
A Ceredigion parish will soon have its own memorial to remember those from the area who died in the First World War, thanks to the National Lottery.