Press releases

	Major artworks go into public ownership July 2005 London, 21 July 2005 – An outstanding collection of art and heritage items worth £13 million was saved for the British public last year under the Acceptance in Lieu (AIL) scheme.
	How to build a boat! Ken Dodd opens new exhibition at Ellesmere Port's Boat Museum July 2005 A new gallery and an interactive exhibition at The Boat Museum, Ellesmere Port, were unveiled today (Tuesday 26 July) by Liverpool-born comedy legend, Ken Dodd. Andrew Miller, MP for Ellesmere Port and Neston, also attended the launch. The new exhibition hall and other new facilities, open to the public for the first time, are part of an ambitious £1.6million programme to revitalise the museum.
	Survey reveals threat to the UK's digital heritage July 2005 The Digital Preservation Coalition (DPC) is today launching its biggest project to date, a 'state of the nation' survey designed to reveal the extent of the risk of loss or degradation to digital material held in the UK's public and private sectors.
	Culture Minister David Lammy announces £4m boost for Public Library improvements July 2005 A free and up-to-date public library service must be at the heart of Government cultural and social policy in the 21st century, Culture Minister David Lammy said today. And he announced that the funding programme for library improvement was to be extended for a further two years, with £4 million of new money.
	Northwest Businesses Provide Philanthropic Fund June 2005 Arts organisations in the Northwest could win a substantial pot of money if they enter in for the Lever Prize. Launched in May 2005, the Lever Prize is the brainchild of North West Business Leadership Team (NWBLT) and is set to become an annual award for world-class arts organisations. The award of £10,000 also includes the opportunity to work directly and creatively with the NWBLT membership. Organisations are still being encouraged to enter by the closing date of 8 July 2005.
	Manchester city goes culture crazy May 2005 Manchester’s unique cultural diversity is set to be celebrated at the city’s first ever ‘culturemarket’.
	Deadline approaches for Adult Learners Week Awards nominations April 2005 Time is running out for inspirational adult learners to be put under the spotlight as part of a campaign to highlight the benefits of learning to individuals and communities across the North West.
	Adult Learners' Week Awards March 2005 MLA North West has launched a search for the region’s most inspiring adult learners. Organisations and individuals are being encouraged to nominate family members, friends and colleagues for the prestigious One Small Step Adult Learners’Week Awards.
	MLA North West welcomes the report of the Culture, Media and Sport inquiry into public libraries March 2005 MLA North West welcomes the commitment that the Select Committee have made to the future of public libraries. In particular, we support the Select Committee’s recommendations to focus attention on libraries’ fundamental role in promoting reading – a premise which is at the heart of the Framework for the Future Action Plan managed by the Museums Libraries and Archives Council (MLA).
	A2A project, Community Spirit, set to unlock a treasure trove of North West history January 2005 September will see the start of an exciting new project by MLA North West (Museums, Libraries & Archives North West) and partners to convert 1000's of pages of archive catalogues into an electronic form for the very first time.