OXFORD.- Modern Art Oxford has been awarded £3.5 million from Art Council England’s Capital Programme. The grant is a vital step in the campaign to raise £5.1 million to fund a major building redevelopment of the gallery’s historic site in Pembroke Street, commencing in 2017.

The project, which includes refurbishment of Modern Art Oxford’s basement, entrance, ground floor spaces, visitor facilities, and galleries, will also see a new lift and architect-designed staircase slice through the centre of the building, opening up the higher level floors and back of house spaces for improved access and public use.

Modern Art Oxford aims to attract and sustain over 200,000 people a year when the building reopens in 2018, almost double its current visitor figures.

Paul Hobson, Modern Art Oxford’s Director, commented: “We are thrilled that Arts Council England has supported us to help achieve our ambitions for Modern Art Oxford. In 2016 we will celebrate 50 years of incredible exhibitions of contemporary art on this site; this is a perfect moment to embark on a redevelopment of this historic building to ensure the gallery’s commitment to the audiences and artists of the future.”

Modern Art Oxford Chairman David Isaac CBE said: “We are delighted that Arts Council England has underlined its commitment to Modern Art Oxford through this significant capital award. We are all very proud of the gallery’s history but we must ensure that our facilities are up-to-date to allow us to show world class contemporary art and achieve a sustainable business model. A refurbished gallery will allow us to do both.”

Modern Art Oxford also received notification of inclusion in Arts Council England’s National Portfolio of funded organisations for 2015 to 2018. This continued support from ACE is crucial to Modern Art Oxford, helping us to deliver programmes that celebrate the relevance of contemporary visual culture to society today, whilst creating new relationships between artists and audiences at the beginning of the 21st century.