Leicester Museum and Art Gallery has been awarded the Museum of Sanctuary award for its work promoting welcome and safety for all, including people who arrive in the city seeking refuge. 

Reacting to the news of the recognition, Deputy city mayor for culture Cllr Piara Singh Clair said: “We have worked closely with many local organisations that help refugees and asylum seekers, delivering a wide range of projects to celebrate their contribution to Leicester and challenge myths.

“Our museums are National Portfolio Organisations, which means we receive Arts Council England funding. This assists with our ongoing ‘Welcoming Museums’ project, and allows us to work with local people to create exhibitions such as ‘Sanctuary Birds’, where refugees, asylum seekers and members of Leicester City of Sanctuary created artwork representing birds flying to freedom.

Shali Bullough from Leicester City of Sanctuary said: “We are absolutely delighted that Leicester Museum and Art Gallery has been recognised with this Sanctuary Award.

“We have organised activities with the museum for many years, and we know how much our group enjoys our visits there. It gives them confidence to take their families there independently and to benefit from the many exciting opportunities provided by the museums service in our city.”

Full reporting about this award can be accessed from Leicester City Council here