The Higgins Bedford asked us once again to produce a video for them having previously produced video content that plays alongside exhibits within the galleries. They have entered the Art Fund 2014 Museum of the Year competition and one of the entry requirements is the submission of a short video documenting why they should be considered for the £100,000 prize. The competition champions museums throughout the UK, encouraging more people to visit as a result of the huge publicity gained even if only shortlisted.
From conception to completion we made the video in just 7 days! Burning the midnight oil in order to meet the submission deadline.
“Many thanks indeed for all your hard work on the film – we think it’s great and showcases The Higgins Bedford superbly” said Jo Roberts, Head of Learning and Access, The Higgins Bedford
Let’s hope that our small contribution helps the Higgins onto the short list and maybe even further!! We would urge anyone to visit the Higgins, it really is superb.
The Cecil Higgins Museum, as it was formerly known, opened its doors to the public on 25th July 1949, housed in the former Higgins family home. The Museum was founded by the philanthropic brewer, Cecil Higgins (1856-1941) to house his collection of ceramics, glass and objets d’art for the benefit, interest and education of the inhabitants of, and visitors to, Bedford. Cecil Higgins left a complex will to protect his collection which stipulated how the museum was to be organised. He also left a trust fund, to be used for museum purposes, but principally for acquiring works of art.
Over the years collecting policies shifted focus, moving from decorative arts to watercolours, furniture and prints. The period between 1952 and 1964, under the curatorship of Margaret Greenshields, were the most productive in terms of collecting watercolours. Over 500 were acquired in twelve years. In 1971, following the appointment of Helina Graham as curator, the collecting policy switched back to the decorative arts, with the purchase of over 200 pieces from the Handley-Read Collection including the William Burges furniture.
From 1988, the focus returned to collecting prints, this time concentrating on the 20th century. The print collection now numbers over 400 pieces, including works by some of the finest British artists as well as internationally renowned figures such as Picasso, Lichtenstein and Dürer. The collection charts styles as well as print processes, from Whistler’s delicate etchings to Edward Bawden’s magnificent linocuts. The last major addition to the print collection was a generous donation in 2004 from the Scottish artist Alan Davie (1920 – present) of over 70 prints, as well as five works in gouache.
In the 1970s the former Higgins & Sons Castle Brewery buildings became available. John Turner was appointed Curator in 1974 and he led the transformation of the brewery buildings into the new town museum, which opened its doors to the public in 1981. The museum was merged with the Cecil Higgins Art Gallery in 2005, but both buildings remained essentially separate until the museum closed for redevelopment in October 2010 and then The Higgins Bedford reopened on June 21st 2013.
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