Project Tullie

Project Tullie is a rolling programme of work to transform Tullie over the next 10-15 years. Our vision is to create an innovative, welcoming and sustainable cultural hub that represents local communities and connects Carlisle and Cumbria to the world.

Through Project Tullie we will reveal more of the wonderful collections we care for, attract more visitors through new and exciting experiences, and engage more deeply with our communities whilst contributing significantly to the local economy.

What are the aims of the project?

Tullie has been a centre for learning since 1893 when it was opened as the city’s ‘Public Library, Museum and School of Art’. We want to celebrate these roots, re-present them for a 21^st century audience, and use our history and legacy as a unifying concept across all spaces, programmes developed within Project Tullie.

People. To create inclusive spaces for our communities which support engagement and creativity

Place. To reimagine the original purpose of Tullie as Carlisle’s centre of arts, learning and knowledge

Heritage. To reveal and restore the existing historic buildings and to share hidden collections

The Costume Collection at Tullie on its official opening night. The wide Court Mantua dress takes centre stage in a room full of people in formal attire.

What have we done already?

We have been talking to our visitors, listening to our communities and carrying out surveys to find out what you want Tullie to be. We have also recruited a Community Board to help guide the future direction of the museum. Because of this, we know that you want greater access to the collection and an opportunity to engage more deeply with the incredible stories of Carlisle and north Cumbria.

The first phase of Project Tullie saw the opening of The Costume Collection in July 2021, revealing two of the original 1893 gallery spaces and displaying many important pieces from our historic costume collection to visitors.

The second phase, completed in April 2025, enabled us to create a fresh and bright new Welcome Space, refurbish Café Tullie, develop the new Carlisle Gallery – telling the stories of the city – and open the new City Hall Studio space.

What will we do?

Over the course of the project, we will:

Increase the vitality and vibrancy of the city centre using redundant Castle Street properties to house new community spaces
Refurbish and reimagine existing galleries to enable more of the museum’s collections to be shared and on display
Restore parts of the historic buildings currently used for storage and bring these spaces back into public use
Establish new fit-for-purpose learning and community spaces and develop new community programmes
Collaborate and consult with community partners to make sure our new spaces and programmes are relevant, and develop new volunteering opportunities

If you have any questions about the work we’re doing and how that affects your museum experience in the short term, click the button below for answers.

Project Tullie FAQ

Phase 2

Phase 2 of Project Tullie was completed in April 2025 and delivered a revitalised entrance and atrium space, new retail offer, and a brand-new ground floor gallery dedicated to our Great Border City. Work on this phase began in January 2024. The principal contractor for this phase was Carlisle firm Cubby Construction Ltd. London-based architects De Matos Ryan (DMR) were lead designers on the project and developed the scheme with Tullie and audience members.

Also lending their expertise was an experienced design team comprising FWP (Project Management Services), Appleyard & Trew (Quantity Surveyor), Price & Myers (Structural & Civil Engineer), P3R (Mechanical & Electrical) Acrylicize (Wayfinding), Raskl (Carlisle Gallery exhibition fit out) and The Creative Core (for later phases of Exhibition & Interior Design).

The project has been made possible with funding by the UK Government, including support from the UK Government’s Town Fund and Future High Streets Fund. Further supported with £2 million public funding from HM Government administered by Arts Council England.

New Welcome Area, image Stuart Walker

New ground floor Carlisle Gallery, image Stuart Walker

New entrance, image Stuart Walker

Phase 3

Phase 3 is about transforming the traditional relationship between museum and visitor, drawing inspiration from the museum’s founding principles as Carlisle’s centre of arts, learning and knowledge. Our vision is to create a visitor experience and community resource that will inspire, challenge and captivate, allowing us to grow our visitor numbers, expand our award-winning learning programme and support the wellbeing and creativity of our local community through a programme of collections-inspired activities.

Funding success for this phase of the project was announced in October 2024, you can read more about that here.

Work for this phase of the project began on site in January 2026.

The Learning Studio Interior © De Matos Ryan

Phase 2++

Phase 2++ builds on earlier Phase 2 works, including recent improvements to the café and Gatehouse, and focuses on renovating a group of historic buildings on Castle Street. Our aim is to bring unused buildings back into use by creating a ground floor accessible area for community activities and events and creative spaces including office and meeting rooms on the upper floors. This project will help us better support creative, cultural and community programmes in the future.

The regeneration of 6–16 Castle Street has been made possible through the generous support of The Architectural Heritage Fund’s Heritage Revival Fund and Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Capital Fund, both funded by UK Government; The Energy Efficiency Fund, a funding partnership between The Linbury Trust, the Wolfson Foundation and The Headley Trust, with support from Ashden Climate Solutions; the Benny Walker Charitable Trust and the Foyle Foundation.

Work on this phase began in December 2025.