The Kelvingrove New Century Project has repaired and restored the historic museum building, expanded the space available for display by 35% and increased the number of objects on display by 50%. The collection has been radically re-displayed according to a new philosophy that is object-based, visitor-centred, multi-disciplinary and narrative. Combining curatorial knowledge, educational expertise and public interests, the most interesting objects were selected to tell their stories in self contained displays.

The displays have been grouped into easily understood themes to build on the strengths of the collection - its variety and flexibility - and are not locked into long chronological sequences or summaries of entire disciplines. The collections have been divided between ‘Life’, on one side of the museum, and ‘Expression’ on the other. ‘Life’ includes human history,

archaeology, anthropology, geology, palaeontology, Egyptology and natural history displays. ‘Expression’ covers painting, sculpture, design, decorative, expression and applied arts.

There are 22 themes in the museum and each theme has a gallery. Within each themed gallery there are separate ‘story displays’. Curators have worked together to tell stories using the best objects from across the collections. In any one gallery the stories are related to the theme, but not always with each other. This means that a story can be changed without having to redisplay the whole gallery. There are about 100 stories in the museum and it is planned to change five of these every year.

The Galleries have been complemented with new facilities including a number of Discovery Centres on different themes, a Study Centre, audio-visual ‘Object Cinema’, multi-media gallery, Education Suite, conference room, temporary exhibition gallery and new toilets, cafes, and shops.

Some of your comments:

This has been one of the most successful restoration works in recent times.  I have visited Kelvingrove on a number of occasions, both pre and post restoration.  The Gallery and Museum now has a lively, ‘hands-on’ feel to it.  There is a much wider range of objects and ‘stories’ than ever before that relate to every age group across all cultures.  I think Kelvingrove is genuinely deserving of this prize, mostly for its modern approach to making art and treasures appealing to all visitors and for the enormous amount of work that was undertaken by so many in the lead-up to its re-opening.  Kelvingrove is most definitely a success story that deserves its just reward.
Jane Whannel, Glasgow – 7 March

When an old favourite like the Kelvingrove Museum, closes for an extensive period of refurbishment, there is always a danger that the magic may be lost.  Not with this project: each visit is like walking into the museum for the first time.  New exhibits, like the Spitfire, and old favourites like Dali's painting, combined with improved visitor facilities mean that I'll be back again, and again.
David McAleer, Clarkston, East Rendrewshire – 7 March

The redevelopment has breathed new life into an old friend.  My children (aged 3 and 5) - love to visit - they feel as if they can see and enjoy everything and no part of the museum is 'out of bounds'.  As a parent I love it as I can relax and enjoy wandering around as the children feel comfortable and at home in the galleries.  Although I am very familiar with the collections in Kelvingrove, I have found out new things about old favourites - or come across objects and paintings I had never noticed before.  Fabulous.
Janice Lane, Glasgow – 9 March

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