London — Manchester Museum, part of the University of Manchester, has reached the final phase of its ambitious transformation project and it will temporarily close its doors so construction work can take place.

The museum will be closed to the public from 29 Augustuntil late 2022 when it will emerge as a museum for the 21^st century.

hello future will include a beautiful two-storey extension and new galleries including a large Exhibition Hall, Belonging Gallery, the Lee Kai Hung Chinese Culture Gallery, and the South Asia Gallery.

The South Asia Gallery, a partnership gallery with the British Museum, will be the first ever permanent exhibition space in the UK dedicated to exploring the stories, experiences and contributions of South Asian communities.

The museum will also gain an impressive new entrance, shop, café, and inclusive visitor facilities that are fully accessible.

hello future is a £13.5million project supported using public funding by Arts Council England and supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, The University of Manchester, and the generosity of numerous philanthropic supporters.

The museum’s opening hours will be extended until 9pmon 26 and 27 August to give more people the chance toexperience the collections before doors close – learn about fascinating fossils, take a selfie with Stan the T-rex, enjoy immersive sound installations and much more. There will also be special performances to mark the occasion. Visitors are encouraged to pre-book tickets.

Manchester Museum’s Director Esme Ward said:

“hello future is a hugely important project that aims to build understanding between cultures and create a more sustainable world. Once complete, visitors will experience exhibitions that tell new, powerful stories and engage with big ideas.

“We are excited to have reached the final stage of our transformation and I want to reassure our visitors that although our doors will temporarily close, we are still here for you. Manchester Museum exists beyond a building. Throughout the closure, we will be holding pop-up events and outreach programmes, and our collections are all available to explore online.

“We look forward to opening the doors to hello future in 2022 and welcoming visitors to a bigger, more imaginative and even more inclusive museum.”

For more information and to book tickets for Manchester Museum’s programme of summer events, Forces of Nature, visit www.mmfromhome.com.