THE National Media Museum has sharpened its focus on science and technology to enhance its "value to Bradford", its director has said.

The museum announced yesterday that about 400,000 images from its three million-strong photography collection are to be transferred from Bradford to the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in London to create the world’s foremost single collection on the art of photography.

Jo Quinton-Tulloch, director of the National Media Museum, part of the Science Museum Group, said the move reinforced the Bradford museum's shifting focus on STEM - science, engineering, maths, and technology - set to be heralded by a new £1.5 million interactive light and sound gallery, due to open in March 2017.

"We have spent a huge amount of effort re-thinking the focus of the museum," she said.

"We are part of the Science Museum Group, and our core collections are photography, film, and television.

"We've recognised we've got to be clear on our vision, and it is about the science and technology aspect of those collections, we really want to motor forward on that objective.

"We've spoken to stakeholders and they are very supportive about the new vision, which is all about inspiring the next generation of engineers and scientists.

"As part of that, we have reviewed our collections and there are a very small number of items to do with the art of photography which don't fit with the new vision.

"We've got more than three million items and this will be between 300,000 and 400,000, so around ten per cent.

"We haven't taken the decision lightly, but for our future in terms of visitors and making sure we are sustainable and can secure new funding, we're being really clear that our focus is on the science and technology of light and sound.

"In terms of positioning ourself in Bradford, this is absolutely the right thing to do."

As part of the new agreement, the V&A will ensure that the National Media Museum can continue to access the transferred collections for exhibition and scholarship purposes.

The museum will retain collections that support an understanding of the development of photographic processes, such as the Kodak collection, the ongoing cultural impact of photography, such as the Daily Herald archive, and photographic archives that have specific relevance to Bradford, including the Impressions Gallery archive.

"We will still focus on photographic technology and the cultural impact of photography," said Miss Quinton-Tulloch.

"We will also be retaining all photography that is relevant to Bradford and the region. That will all stay.

"The V&A have a much stronger remit around the arts and creative industries, so it's a natural fit, and we'll still be sharing collections and sharing expertise."

Alongside the development of the new interactive gallery – described by Miss Quinton-Tulloch as a "world-class facility" – the Museum has also used a loan from the Department for Culture Media and Sport to upgrade its digital IMAX theatre, a development that has brought in more than 20,000 visitors since its reopening in August last year.