Voxpop
What next for the British Museum?
Oliver Green research fellow, London Transport Museum
“Fifteen years ago the museum was stuffy, academic and not at all welcoming. Neil MacGregor set it on a new course, making it more popular, relevant and engaging without dumbing down or just going for crowd-pleasing blockbuster exhibitions.
He has been an effective international cultural ambassador beyond the museum world and a great communicator to wider audiences, especially in partnership with the BBC. But he hasn’t done all this on his own, and there’s no reason why the British Museum should not continue on this course with an able successor at the helm.”
Simon Cane, director of public and cultural engagement, UCL
“The question really is ‘who’ rather than ‘what’s’ next. There is little doubt that Neil MacGregor’s reign will be regarded as a belle époque as he has reformed and modernised the British Museum in a way few thought possible. The challenge for
the trustees is to hold their nerve and appoint someone who will continue to challenge and modernise the institution. The appointment will of course be based on merit but it would be real progress to see England’s flagship museum headed by a woman, and
there are good candidates out there.”
Amanda Hart director, Corinium Museum, Cirencester
“As a small regional museum, we have benefited from Neil MacGregor’s focus on growing regional partnerships. Our size prohibits us from taking most touring exhibitions but, through the British Museum’s programme of loans, our Food for Thought exhibition (until 5 July) showcases objects from across the Roman Empire. Our collection also features in its Teaching History with 100 Objects, which raises our profile to give us a national education reach. These are small gestures that have a big impact for us and I would like the opportunity to build on this success in the future.”
Toby Watley director of collections, Birmingham Museums Trust
“Birmingham Museums is one of more than 200 UK institutions that greatly benefits from the British Museum’s creative partnership programmes through loans, exhibitions, training and knowledge sharing. Neil MacGregor leaves having created an organisation that is renowned for its generosity and for being a global resource for wider learning and engagement. Whatever the future brings for the British Museum, I hope that it is
one that continues to be underpinned by innovative, mutually beneficial partnerships.”
“Fifteen years ago the museum was stuffy, academic and not at all welcoming. Neil MacGregor set it on a new course, making it more popular, relevant and engaging without dumbing down or just going for crowd-pleasing blockbuster exhibitions.
He has been an effective international cultural ambassador beyond the museum world and a great communicator to wider audiences, especially in partnership with the BBC. But he hasn’t done all this on his own, and there’s no reason why the British Museum should not continue on this course with an able successor at the helm.”
Simon Cane, director of public and cultural engagement, UCL
“The question really is ‘who’ rather than ‘what’s’ next. There is little doubt that Neil MacGregor’s reign will be regarded as a belle époque as he has reformed and modernised the British Museum in a way few thought possible. The challenge for
the trustees is to hold their nerve and appoint someone who will continue to challenge and modernise the institution. The appointment will of course be based on merit but it would be real progress to see England’s flagship museum headed by a woman, and
there are good candidates out there.”
Amanda Hart director, Corinium Museum, Cirencester
“As a small regional museum, we have benefited from Neil MacGregor’s focus on growing regional partnerships. Our size prohibits us from taking most touring exhibitions but, through the British Museum’s programme of loans, our Food for Thought exhibition (until 5 July) showcases objects from across the Roman Empire. Our collection also features in its Teaching History with 100 Objects, which raises our profile to give us a national education reach. These are small gestures that have a big impact for us and I would like the opportunity to build on this success in the future.”
Toby Watley director of collections, Birmingham Museums Trust
“Birmingham Museums is one of more than 200 UK institutions that greatly benefits from the British Museum’s creative partnership programmes through loans, exhibitions, training and knowledge sharing. Neil MacGregor leaves having created an organisation that is renowned for its generosity and for being a global resource for wider learning and engagement. Whatever the future brings for the British Museum, I hope that it is
one that continues to be underpinned by innovative, mutually beneficial partnerships.”