One Year On - Kelvingrove Attracts Millions of Visitors
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Exactly a year since it reopened, Kelvingrove has attracted more individual visits than Edinburgh Castle, the National Museum of Scotland and National Gallery of Scotland combined.
With more than 3.2 million patrons – and counting – Kelvingrove has shot into the premier league of museums, overtaking the Natural History Musuem in fourth place, with only the Tate Modern, National Gallery and British Museum attracting more individual visits.
The number of visits has far surpassed expectations following Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum’s three-year, £35 million refurbishment.
Bailie Liz Cameron, Vice-Chair of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau and Chair of Culture & Sport Glasgow, said: “It’s hard to believe that it’s almost a year since we celebrated the return of Scotland’s best-loved museum to the people of Glasgow.
“Kelvingrove is now one of the top-five most visited museums in the UK, with more than three million visits in the first year since reopening. We should be rightly proud of the jewel in our cultural crown.
“The success of Kelvingrove has surpassed even our wildest dreams and is testament to Glasgow’s rich tapestry of art and culture.”
Kelvingrove is already Scotland’s premier tourist attraction and is the most popular museum outside London. The museum if fully funded by local taxpayers, unlike national museums and galleries which receive central government support.
Initial estimates that Kelvingrove would attract some 1.5 milllion visitors have been far exceeded, as visitors have flocked to see old favourites such as Sir Roger the Elephant, Rembrant’s A Man in Armour and Salvador Dali’s iconic Christ of St John of the Cross.
Kelvingrove is the largest civic museum and art gallery in the UK, housing priceless collections of international importance. Admission to the museum, like all 13 museums and galleries managed by Culture & Sport Glasgow on behalf of Glasgow City Council, remains free of charge.
ENDS July 2007
Further information from:
Caroline Gray - PR Manager
Glasgow City Marketing Bureau
Tel: 0141 566 0832; Email: caroline.gray@seeglasgow.com
Glasgow City Marketing Bureau
Tel: 0141 566 0832; Email: caroline.gray@seeglasgow.com
(or)
James Doherty - Media Manager
Culture & Sport Glasgow
Tel: 0141 287 5970; Email: james.doherty@csglasgow.org
Culture & Sport Glasgow
Tel: 0141 287 5970; Email: james.doherty@csglasgow.org
Note to Editors:
UK Museum Rankings 2005/06 (DCMS):
1. (joint) Tate London* 5,570,609
2. British Museum 4,492,852
3. National Gallery 3,952,839
4. Natural History Museum 3,200,645
5. National Museum of Science & Industry 2,019,931
6. V&A Sth Kensington 1,902,587
7. National Museums Liverpool 1,608,132
8. National Portrait Gallery 1,528,310
9. National Maritime Museum 1,493,042
*only the combined figure for Tate Britain & Tate Modern was submitted.
1. (joint) Tate London* 5,570,609
2. British Museum 4,492,852
3. National Gallery 3,952,839
4. Natural History Museum 3,200,645
5. National Museum of Science & Industry 2,019,931
6. V&A Sth Kensington 1,902,587
7. National Museums Liverpool 1,608,132
8. National Portrait Gallery 1,528,310
9. National Maritime Museum 1,493,042
*only the combined figure for Tate Britain & Tate Modern was submitted.
Top 3 in Scotland 2006 (during Kelvingrove’s refurbishment)
1. Edinburgh Castle 1,211,036
2. Royal Museum and Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh 830,670
3. National Gallery of Scotland, Edinburgh 942,788
1. Edinburgh Castle 1,211,036
2. Royal Museum and Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh 830,670
3. National Gallery of Scotland, Edinburgh 942,788
Kelvingrove Opening Hours:
Monday to Thursday and Saturday 10am to 5pm, Friday and Sunday 11am to 5pm. Telephone 0141 276 9599
Monday to Thursday and Saturday 10am to 5pm, Friday and Sunday 11am to 5pm. Telephone 0141 276 9599