The annual ‘Museums at Night’ takes place during the third weekend in May 2009 (15th – 17th). A national campaign for late night opening across the UK, it seeks to attract people into museums who don’t usually visit, simply by staying open late or by creating special events.

It will link up with the European wide campaign of the same name (La Nuit de Musées), which takes place on Saturday 16th May 2009.

The UK equivalent, funded by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) and organised by Culture24 takes place over the weekend of Friday May 15, Saturday May 16 and Sunday May 17 2009.

This year the event is simple: open up your museum or heritage site, at night, and do whatever you want to do.

The weekend also aims to ensure that in the wake of Museums and Galleries Month, the enthusiasm generated among museums and galleries for a joint promotion across the UK is not lost and the profile created in the media of May as a 'museum month' is maintained.

All museums and galleries and heritage attractions are welcome to take part and benefit from the European-wide publicity and also participate in the debate about the role of museums in our cultural life.

Many museums have already signed up including, The National Gallery in London and The Sainsbury Centre for Art in Norwich. Museums at Night 2009 will extend across the sector, from the big national museums to smaller, regional museums, which together will reveal the rich and vibrant nature of the UK museum sector.

Roy Clare, Chief Executive of MLA said: “Modern life for many people is a 24 hour experience. Museums at Night responds to this round-the-clock lifestyle by providing a rich and unusual opportunity for everyone to spend quality time browsing the great diversity of UK collections.

"I am delighted the MLA is able to support Culture24 in encouraging people, especially those who would never normally go to their local museum, to devote an evening to discovering the free resources that lie just on their doorstep. Previous years have shown how being involved in a museum at night event is a wonderfully rewarding and engaging experience.”

The Museums at Night event has grown quickly over the last few years. In 2008, 2,200 museums in 40 European countries took part. In the UK, under the auspices of Museums and Galleries Month, the number of museums taking part was in the rgion of 200. It is hoped that UK museums will be able to rise to the challenge and respond once again by generating unique social events, screenings, tours, or simply by opening later.

National Gallery Head of Education, Colin Wiggins, said: “We are delighted to be participating in Museums at Night 2009. The project offers us an opportunity to present the National Gallery’s collection and history in a new and inspiring way and, at the same time, introduce our paintings to new audiences.”

For 2009 Culture24 is developing a UK-wide promotion, including competitions, public participation, brand and PR support to ensure that UK museums can build on the achievements of previous years.

To access more information and download the media toolkit, press pack and publicity materials, for Museums at Night visit the Culture24 website at www.culture24.org.uk.