THE £26m Hepworth Wakefield gallery has received a funding boost from two of the country's leading charitable foundations.
A total of £400,000 has been secured by the Hepworth Wakefield Trust – £150,000 from the Headley Trust, and £250,000 from the Garfield Weston Foundation.
The money will go towards the construction of the gallery on Wakefield Waterfront.
Coun De
nise Jeffery, Wakefield Council's cabinet member responsible for regeneration said: "These substantial grants are a fantastic funding boost for the Hepworth Wakefield. It is also a powerful endorsement of the national and international significance of the gallery, and the ambitions that we have in Wakefield to provide world-class cultural attractions."
The gallery is being built with funding from Wakefield Council, Arts Council England, Heritage Lottery Fund, English Partnerships, Yorkshire Forward and the European Union.
Hepworth Wakefield Trust, an independent charity that has been set up to support the new gallery, is currently seeking funding from charitable trusts and foundations, business and individuals to support the development.
Lord St Oswald, chairman of the trustees said: "On behalf of the trustees, I am delighted that the Headley Trust and the Garfield Weston Foundation have awarded such generous grants to the Hepworth Wakefield.
"Hepworth Wakefield Trust is very pleased to be supporting this exciting project for Yorkshire and we hope that these are the first of many more fundraising successes."
