Bringing some of Britain’s top art and cultural exhibitions to Kirkcaldy will be a real possibility when the town’s revamped museum and gallery reopens this summer.
That is the belief of Dorothy Browse of Fife Cultural Trust, who says that a £2.5 million investment in the building will leave it capable of attracting some of the biggest names in the arts world.
The major refit, which is on budget, will be completed in time for the scheduled June reopening which, it is hoped, will see the building play host to some of Britain’s most important cultural treasures.
In 2010, local artist Jack Vettriano showcased his latest work at the venue, attracting more than 20,000 visitors.
Hopeful that similarly prestigious events could be drawn to the town once again, Mrs Browse said: “One of the ambitions of the project is that we will now be able to bring in more high-profile exhibitions.
“To do that we have to prove to places like the Tate and the National Museum of Scotland that we can look after their objects while they are here. But we are quite confident that we will be able to do so.
“The Vettriano exhibition was something else and to do that again would be fantastic.”
Along with a new look inside, the building will reopen with a new name Kirkcaldy Galleries an identity that it is hoped will make the location easier to market to people outwith the town.
The controversial move was also taken to highlight the building’s change of use, as it will also incorporate Kirkcaldy’s main library as well as visitor information services.
“What we will have is one entrance and one reception for everything,” said Mrs Browse.
“The caf has been moved to the south side of the building and is a bit larger. It has always been popular there are times when you couldn’t get a seat and it will be lovely in the summer overlooking the gardens.
“It’s been 25 years since the last significant change was made to the museum. There will be plenty of new things for people to see as well as a lot of the favourite exhibits from before.”