Museum of… The Cartoon Museum, London

Where 

The Cartoon Museum is in the heart of Fitzrovia in London, overlooking the University of Westminster. “We love the new location,” says the museum’s director, Becky Jefcoate. “Wells Street is the former home of the London Sketch Club, so there is synergy with the cartoon heritage in the streets nearby.”

The new, one-storey museum has been created by Sam Jacob Studio. Designed as a 3D comic strip, special features include a red stairwell lined with cartoon characters such as Dennis The Menace, “smashed” walls, desks with “feet”, tiger-striped flooring, and a secret door hidden within a bookcase, which leads to the Clore Learning Centre. The museum has an open-plan gift shop and two galleries – one to house the permanent collection, and another to showcase special exhibitions.

Opened 

February 2006. The museum relocated and reopened in July.

Collection 

Owned by the Cartoon Art Trust, the library collection specialises in British cartoons, caricatures, comic art and graphic novels from the 1750s through to the present day. The museum holds more than 8,000 books and comics, and more than 6,000 original cartoon artworks by 300 cartoonists who have worked on publications including Punch, Viz and The Dandy.

Highlights 

“The ‘In-Focus’ booth provides a gallery within a gallery that has its own screen, audio and lighting,” says Jefcoate. “We will use the space to celebrate a theme each month, such as different styles of animation, gaming and live cartoonists.”

Help at hand 

Moving stock has been challenging, says Jefcoate. “Staff and volunteers have all helped with skip filling, painting, picture hanging and furniture assembly, and helping to move thousands of items from the cartoon library.” 

Budget 

The museum is a registered charity – its revenue is generated through the gift shop. Admission is £8.50 for adults, £5 for concessions, £3 for students and free for under-18s.

Sticky moment 

Finding central and accessible office space during the renovation was difficult. “We found temporary office space and a collections store to use in between vacating our old premises and moving into the new one,” says Jefcoate. 

Survival tips 

“Factor in volunteer engagement events, and online presence during ‘dark periods’ to keep audience connection and awareness,” says Jefcoate. “Invest in audience research and insight, so that you’re playing to your strengths, and programming according to audience need.”

Visitors 

About 27,000 a year. This is expected to rise to 55,000 within the next three years.

“We are planning three special exhibitions every year, more summer holiday learning workshops, an animation festival, greater strategic partnerships, and thematic displays in the In-Focus booth,” says Jefcoate. Everything from pop-up film nights and gin bars to cartoon-themed fashion shows is being considered to ensure every space is being utilised and income is being generated to ensure the museum is sustainable in the long term.