STOCKPORT'S Hat Works Museum has revealed "some exciting changes" as it looks to create a more sustainable future.
From next month the UK's only museum of hats and headwear will welcome creative arts organisation Arc as it relocates from its current premises in Reddish.
Arc is a creative arts organisation, specialising in workshops and events, arts for wellbeing and community development.
It provides support for artists and run participatory art and making activities for a range of people, groups and families.
Arc's artistic director Jacqui Wood said: "The team at Arc is delighted by the prospect of being based at Hat Works.
"Last year we delivered projects to more than 1,500 people. Having an accessible town centre base will mean we can engage more people in our creative programmes, to connect them with Stockport's cultural offer and to develop a hub for arts and wellbeing."
Arc will continue to offer programmes to vulnerable adults and young people, Saturday Art Clubs, public courses, opportunities for local artists to network and build skills and a wide range of partnership projects.
Jacqui added: "We are looking forward to working with the Hat Works team to increase audiences and participation and to make the venue a real success. After more than 20 years in existence, this is an exciting, new chapter in the Arc story."
Kate Butler, Stockport Council cabinet member for citizen focus and engagement, said: "Our vision is to put Hat Works at the heart of Stockport's creative and cultural community and this new partnership with Arc is an important first step.
"We have developed a mutually rewarding relationship with them over the years; most recently with the acclaimed 'We are Dreamers' exhibition at the War Memorial Art Gallery as part of the First World War centenary commemorations.
"We are looking forward to developing our partnership and having them share space with us at Hat Works."