Moat Brae is being given more than a quarter of a million pounds to develop into a “world class” visitor attraction.
Design company MinaLima – the creative team behind the Harry Potter film universe and exhibitions such as the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – is set to bring its magic to Dumfries.
The team will create a unique immersive exhibition transforming large areas of the house into a “netherworld of ever-changing but well-loved literary landscapes” focusing on classic children’s literature.
A £280,237 cash boost – from the Government’s Community Renewal Fund – will fund the project and help Moat Brae move forward from the pandemic.
It was a £9million fundraising campaign over a number of years which helped save the Walter Newall-designed building in Dumfries’ George Street from demolition and transformed it into Scotland’s Centre for Children’s Literature and Storytelling through its JM Barrie and Peter Pan connections.
It opened in June, 2019, and attracted 26,000 people in its first nine months before Covid-19 struck, causing closures and restrictions.
Moat Brae director Dr Simon Davidson said “We’re over the moon to have been successful in our bid to the UKCRF. This is an ambitious project that will see us partner with MinaLima who are the design team behind the graphic universe of the Harry Potter film series, to create a new immersive exhibition based on their Classics series of children’s books for Harper Collins.
“MinaLima’s style is stunningly imaginative and utterly unique and the books are not only filled with beautiful illustrations.
“We can’t wait to see what they are planning for our magical house.”
“They are a world-renowned brand and we anticipate the exhibition will attract visitors to Dumfries from all over the world meaning the boost to the local economy will be substantial.
“I also hope it will give the people of Dumfries and Galloway a new cultural asset they can be proud of.”
Although MinaLima will design the exhibition, its production will be undertaken by local businesses and, through tender, it will offer opportunities for young artists and craftspeople to work with one of the most renowned graphic design companies in the world. The exhibition is set to go live next summer of 2022 and is expected to attract visitors from all over the world.
Peter Pan Moat Brae Trust chairman Flora Burns said “This is such welcome news and we feel very fortunate that we have won through. The award will help us see through our long held ambition for a world class visitor destination at Moat Brae, the birth place of Peter Pan, inspired by classic books for children.
“We can’t wait to get on with the work and make it all happen in 2022 without any need for pixie dust.”
“The immersive exhibition at Moat Brae will provide a further bluechip quality experience for visitors, building on all the work that has been done in recent years to restore the building.”
