Glasgow’s Southside is abundant with plenty of wee gems, but Pollok Park offers a unique green oasis within the city. Filled with green spaces, the park also boasts Pollok House and its beautiful gardens, Highland cows roaming around and the renovated museum of The Burrell Collection. Now, The Burrell Collection has been named Museum of the Year by the annual Art Fund, recognising the efforts of the six-year-long renovation.
The Burrell Collection is a modern museum that showcases more of the Collection than before the renovation in 2016 and was reopened by King Charles in October 2022. The museum hosts 225 displays spread across 24 galleries of around 9,000 works.
Sir William Burrell and his wife Constance, Lady Burrell devoted more than 75 years of their lives to putting together one of the world’s greatest personal art collections. The collection is known for its quality of Chinese art, stained glass, and noteworthy tapestries, as well as its fine art. When the collection was donated to the city, the Principal of Glasgow University, Sir Hector Hetherington described it as: “One of the greatest gifts ever made to any city in the world.”
Since The Burrell Collection reopened, the museum has already seen more 500,000 visitors and brought £20 million to Glasgow’s economy.
Speaking of the Museum of the Year recognition, UK Government Minister for Scotland John Lamont said: “I’m delighted to see Glasgow’s Burrell Collection recognised with this fantastic honour. It’s a stunning space with a magnificent collection of global importance that the UK Government is proud to have supported with a £3 million investment. Congratulations to National Lottery-funded Scapa Flow Museum on Hoy, Orkney, for making it as a finalist.”
Councillor David McDonald, Chair of Glasgow Life and Depute Leader of Glasgow City Council said: “The Burrell Collection is one of Glasgow’s greatest treasures which deserves much greater recognition and appreciation around the world.”