Collections face mothballing because of cuts, MA survey finds
Geraldine Kendall, 31.08.2010
Research shows that cuts to Renaissance will banish regional museum collections back to the basement
An MA survey to assess the potential impact of cuts to Renaissance in the Regions has found that collections care and access will suffer if the programme is axed.
Museums warned that a 25 per cent decrease in funding would mean fewer loans, fewer temporary exhibitions, exhibits banished to the storeroom and tired, unchanging displays.
The research also indicated that almost half of museums facing such cuts would consider introducing or increasing charges, which would further restrict public access to collections.
Since it began in 2002, the Renaissance programme has raised the standards, services and profile of regional museums, leading to visitor increases of well over 40 per cent.
Respondents acknowledged the legacy that Renaissance would leave behind, but expressed fears that without ongoing funding, this progress would erode quickly.
Mark Taylor director of the Museums Association said: “Renaissance funding has transformed England’s great regional museums but now I fear a return to the pitiful days of collections stuck unused and deteriorating in basement stores.
“Regional museums will lend and borrow fewer things, making it far harder for people to see nationally important treasures near to where they live.”
The survey also found that over two fifths of museums would be forced to reduce opening hours following 25 per cent cuts. They would also have to cut back on events such as lectures, study days and late openings, and a third would close sites or parts of sites.
Taylor added: “Museums won’t have enough money and staff to bring the collections to life. 100 per cent of responding museums said they would be forced to reduce school visits, events, activities and outreach.”
MA head of workforce development and events Caitlin Griffiths said: “Understandably the survey responses make for depressing reading. The results point to cuts ushering in bleak times for museums - with decreasing activity, less use of collections and increasing limits being placed on the public's ability to get access to their collections.
“The responses to the survey show that we need funding for Renaissance to continue to make sure the public get the most from their regional museums.”
Click here for more on the survey's key findings (pdf)
Image: Wedgwood Museum
Museums warned that a 25 per cent decrease in funding would mean fewer loans, fewer temporary exhibitions, exhibits banished to the storeroom and tired, unchanging displays.
The research also indicated that almost half of museums facing such cuts would consider introducing or increasing charges, which would further restrict public access to collections.
Since it began in 2002, the Renaissance programme has raised the standards, services and profile of regional museums, leading to visitor increases of well over 40 per cent.
Respondents acknowledged the legacy that Renaissance would leave behind, but expressed fears that without ongoing funding, this progress would erode quickly.
Mark Taylor director of the Museums Association said: “Renaissance funding has transformed England’s great regional museums but now I fear a return to the pitiful days of collections stuck unused and deteriorating in basement stores.
“Regional museums will lend and borrow fewer things, making it far harder for people to see nationally important treasures near to where they live.”
The survey also found that over two fifths of museums would be forced to reduce opening hours following 25 per cent cuts. They would also have to cut back on events such as lectures, study days and late openings, and a third would close sites or parts of sites.
Taylor added: “Museums won’t have enough money and staff to bring the collections to life. 100 per cent of responding museums said they would be forced to reduce school visits, events, activities and outreach.”
MA head of workforce development and events Caitlin Griffiths said: “Understandably the survey responses make for depressing reading. The results point to cuts ushering in bleak times for museums - with decreasing activity, less use of collections and increasing limits being placed on the public's ability to get access to their collections.
“The responses to the survey show that we need funding for Renaissance to continue to make sure the public get the most from their regional museums.”
Click here for more on the survey's key findings (pdf)
Image: Wedgwood Museum
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