About the Quilt Museum and Gallery
The Museum holds a unique collection of quilts and related artifacts from around the British Isles dating from the earliest piece in the collection the 1718 Silk Patchwork Coverlet.
Open throughout the year the Museum hosts heritage exhibitions and shows by contemporary makers. In addition, the Museum offers an associated programme of educational events for all ages please see our 'Events' and 'Learning' pages for further details.
The Museum is Accredited with the Museums Libraries and Archives Council. Accreditation sets nationally agreed standards for UK museums. To meet the requirements for the scheme, museums must demonstrate that they achieve clearly defined standards relating to governance and management, services for users, visitor facilities and collections management.
The Museum staff are assisted by a dedicated team of volunteers who help with gallery stewarding, craft demonstrations, educational activies and behind the scenes work on the collections and installing exhibitions.
The Museum is currently in receipt of a £193.500 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund for a three year project 2008-2011 entitled 'Unfolding the Quilts'. This funding is supporting a full time Education Officer and part time Volunteer Organiser to develop education and volunteer programmes at the Museum.
The Museum is independently funded and reliant on admissions through the door and grants. Since opening in 2008 the Museum been successful in obtaining grants from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Arts Council England, Renaissance Yorkshire, Worshipful Company of Broderers, The Leche Trust, Art Fund, MLA/ V&A Purchase Grant Scheme and AIM (Association of independent Museums). The Museum has also received support from the Contemporary Quilt Group (Little Gems Initiative) for the 2010 exhibition programme and equipment from Brother, Bernina, Pfaff/ Husquarna Viking and Coates.
