Major UK BRC Project Reaches Key Milestone.

Museum of Liverpool, England Awarded an Earmarked* Grant of [pounds sterling]11.4m for BRC-designed Exhibition

BURBANK, Calif. -- BRC Imagination Arts, one of the world's leading creators of truly engaging visitor experiences for museums, corporate visitor centers, and cultural heritage attractions, today announced that its client National Museums Liverpool (NML) has reached a key milestone in building the new Museum of Liverpool, England. NML has been given an earmarked grant of [pounds sterling]11.4m from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) which will be used to support BRC-designed exhibitions scheduled to open in 2010.

The HLF enables communities to celebrate, look after and learn more about the United Kingdom's diverse heritage. The organization funds the entire spread of heritage--including buildings, museums, natural heritage and the heritage of cultural traditions and language.

The new museum and its immersive exhibitions will engage visitors and allow for understanding and appreciation of Liverpool's rich and varied social history and popular culture by providing a showcase and context for NML's marvelous collections.

The wealth of material NML has to work with--in the form of artifacts, stories, and media--is astonishing. The new museum will allow NML to put on display Liverpool's outstanding material culture collection that hasn't been seen by the public in years. In addition, the unique and flexible design will allow displays to be continually refreshed and updated. The interpretation and information layering will provide a diverse audience multiple entry points into the Liverpool story, a first particularly on this scale.

"The new museum will embody the audacious, dare-taking spirit that has typified the people of Liverpool for centuries," said David Fleming, OBE, director of National Museums Liverpool. "This will be a benchmark museum that cities around the world will emulate for years to come, but it could have only been done first in Liverpool."

Using BRC's "Showmanship Meets Scholarship[TM]" approach to museum design, the Museum of Liverpool will use innovative exhibits to tell Liverpool's history through the stories of its people--from prehistoric times to King John's Charter in 1207, to when Liverpool emerges as a major international port city to the 21st century.

"The Museum of Liverpool will be one of the most radical and exciting new urban history museums ever to open," said Donna Davidson, director of project development, BRC Imagination Arts, UK. "The museum leadership's vision is testing everything we know about what a museum experience should be and together we're breaking new ground. We're honored and proud to be part of the team."

The museum is expected to provide a significant boost to existing visitor numbers, and will be an exceptional learning and community resource. The Museum of Liverpool project is comprised of a c.10,000 square meter (113,900 square feet) building; a 4,231 square meter (45,500 square feet) gallery; and will feature 1,106 square meters (11,900 square feet) of community space including learning zones and resource centers. The museum will also feature a restaurant, cafe and shops.

ABOUT BRC IMAGINATION ARTS

Founded in 1981, BRC Imagination Arts is the leader in the design, creation, and production of innovative and immersive experience-based attractions for museums, experiential marketing, theme parks, and cultural heritage sites worldwide. BRC projects have consistently exceeded the expectations of clients and visitors, and have a proven track record of economic sustainability and the industry's best record for on time, on budget performance. Clients include Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Adler Planetarium, Disney, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, NASA, National Museums Liverpool, Universal Studios, and Warner Brothers. With offices in California, Amsterdam, and the United Kingdom, BRC has been honored with over 250 international awards for creative excellence including two Academy Award nominations, and 11 THEA Awards for Outstanding Achievement in themed entertainment. The company is currently engaged in major projects in the United States, Europe, and Asia. For more information, visit www.brcweb.com.

*A "Stage One Pass" means that money has been earmarked by HLF for the project in question. Competition at this stage is tough, and while a Stage One Pass does not guarantee funding, it is an indication of positive support, and money for the scheme is set aside. The applicant can then progress to Stage Two and submit a further, fully developed application to secure the full grant. On occasion, at Stage One, funding will also be awarded towards the development of the scheme.