LONDON, ENGLAND.-The V&A has been awarded an HLF grant of £9.75 million towards the Museum's new Medieval and Renaissance Galleries. Opening in 2009, these galleries will be the culmination of the £75 million first phase of the V&A's FuturePlan project to transform the museum through new galleries and beautiful displays.

Comprising 10 galleries, this part of the museum will be dedicated to giving visitors a deeper appreciation and enjoyment of Medieval and Renaissance art and design. The collections (300 to 1600AD), ranging from the exquisite Becket Casket to the impressive Santa Chiara chapel, include Italian sculptures that are considered some of the best examples of their type outside Italy.

Mark Jones, Director of the V&A, said: 'The V&A's medieval and Renaissance collections are among the best in the world and one of the glories of the Museum. This HLF grant will enable us to show these treasures in exciting new displays, incorporating innovative approaches to interpretation, which will shed new light on this fascinating period.'