While programmes developed under the current Grants period are entering into the implementation phase, projects financed by the EEA and Norway Grants 2004-2009, such as the one at the Polish Maritime Museum in Gdańsk, are praised for their results and positive impact on local communities.
The project, which included reconstruction and development of the cultural infrastructure of the Polish Maritime Museum’s Maritime Culture Centre, has received a Sybilla prize in the category of Management and Organisation. The prize is awarded by the Polish Minister of Culture and National Heritage and is considered as Poland’s most prestigious prize for innovative solutions and projects developed by the country’s museums.
Support for largest museum investment
The project was supported by a grant of nearly €7 million. Norway’s Stavanger Museum was a partner in the project.
The grant supported the construction of the Maritime Culture Centre which was opened in April 2012. Located in Gdańsk’s old town, the centre is one of the most modern museum facilities in Poland, as well as the only one to use multimedia and interactive technologies to educate on maritime culture and history.
“Construction works at the centre were completed last year. It was the largest investment carried out at a museum in Poland,” said Jerzy Litwin, Director of the Polish Maritime Museum.
Education through innovation
Its signature permanent exhibition, People-Ships-Ports, features a water basin with remote-controlled models of ships and yachts which allows its visitors to observe maritime weather conditions in real time. It is also the only exhibition in Poland which allows visitors to create miniature whirlpools and tsunamis.
Activities performed under the project include: construction of a new building, installation of equipment, and fitting the centre with new telecommunication, security, sanitation, ventilation and air-conditioning systems.
The annual competition is organised by the National Institute of Museology and Conservation of Collections.