Who are we investing in?

The Story Museum, based in Oxford, celebrates great stories in all forms, such as literature, mythology and, more recently, film, by producing immersive exhibitions and installations as well as a variety of related events and activities. It also provides learning opportunities for children and young people, promoting literacy and creativity and addressing issues of word-poverty and cultural disengagement. The Story Museum acquired its current premises in 2009 and, along with redeveloping portions of the site at different stages, it has since grown organically in both visitor numbers and creative ambition. It was most recently awarded an Arts Council England NPO status in recognition of its achievements to date.

The Story Museum is now at the final stage of re-developing its partially complete premises, a project known as Chapter 2. Funds are required to begin construction works on site on time and to support the capital project cashflow by bridging to confirmed and future fundraising.

What are we investing in?

The Story Museum approached Arts Impact Fund for a loan of £400,000 to underwrite a portion of the capital budget and support the project cashflow, bridging to confirmed and future fundraising. This has enabled it to commence work on site starting autumn 2018, with plans to complete the construction by October 2019 and open to the public again in the Spring of 2020.

Once fully complete, The Story Museum will greatly expand and improve its exhibition and learning spaces, which will also be fully accessible for the first time, in addition to boosting the charity’s earned revenues and helping it build more solid reserves. As a result, it will be able to welcome more visitors, engage more volunteers and reach more schools and disadvantaged children and families in the community through its in- and outreach Programmes.

Read the full case study on The Story Museum on the Arts & Culture Finance website