Charity’s extra boost for scheme to transform visitor facilities at the Egypt Centre

The Wolfson Foundation has awarded a £100,000 grant to the Egypt Centre at Swansea University.

The Wolfson Foundation’s funding for museums and galleries aims to improve the display and interpretation of nationally significant collections for the public. The funding will support an ambitious redevelopment of The House of Death gallery this autumn. This award builds on previous funding of £300,000 received by the Welsh Government as part of the Transformation Capital Grants Programme.

The project will transform a key area within the Egypt Centre to create a cutting-edge, accessible, and immersive learning space.

Improvements planned include:

• Creation of more spaces for interactive experiences, including smellscapes and soundscapes;
• Installation of automatic doors to the galleries to make them more accessible for wheelchairs;
• New improved cases to display more objects and under better environmental conditions/lighting; and,
• New interpretation panels and labels to reflect current research.

The redevelopment will also bring the museum up to modern standards, helping to protect the 7,000 objects held in its remarkable collection for future generations.

The Egypt Centre’s Curator Dr Ken Griffin said: “We are extremely grateful to the Wolfson Foundation for this grant, which will make a meaningful contribution towards the redevelopment. The project will ensure our continuation as a relevant cultural and educational hub both here in Wales and across the UK.

“We really look forward to welcoming new and old visitors when the Egypt Centre reopens in January 2026.”

The Wolfson Foundation’s Chief Executive, Paul Ramsbottom, said: “The refurbishment of the House of Death Gallery within the Egypt Centre will create a brilliantly immersive experience. It will shed new light on Ancient Egypt and give fresh insights into the remarkable collection. Crucially for a University museum and collection, it will also enrich the academic and research opportunities available to the University community. We are delighted to be involved.”

The Wolfson Foundation is an independent charity with a focus on research and education. Its aim is to support civil society by investing in excellent projects in science, health, heritage, humanities and the arts.

Since it was established in 1955, some £1 billion (£2 billion in real terms) has been awarded to more than 14,000 projects throughout the UK, all on the basis of expert review.