Jeremy Wright named seventh culture secretary in eight years
Can the new culture secretary overcome a lack of continuity and advocate effectively on behalf of museums, asks Caroline Parry
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) recently welcomed its seventh culture secretary in eight years, raising questions about continuity in the government’s approach to arts and culture.
Jeremy Wright replaced Matt Hancock as secretary of state for digital, culture, media and sport in July after Hancock became secretary of state for health and social care. The reshuffle was announced on 9 July following Brexit minster David Davis’s resignation from the government. Hancock was culture secretary for only six months.
“It’s obviously great to have continuity with ministers,” says Iain Watson, the director of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums, who met Wright in July during a visit to Newcastle. “What is most important, however, is ministers who genuinely care about the sector and are briefed and ready to make the case for the value of museums across government.
“I was delighted to be able to welcome the new secretary of state to Discovery Museum, as part of the Great Exhibition of the North,” adds Watson, who is also a Museums Association board member.
“Jeremy Wright was knowledgeable about the exhibition and really interested in the work we are doing. We hope that he will be able to support museums and the bodies that support them in the forthcoming spending review.”
According to Suzie Tucker, the director of strategy and communications at the National Museum Directors’ Council (NMDC), the key priority for Wright must be “ensuring a good funding settlement for the department”, as well as ensuring the implementation of recommendations for the DCMS in the Mendoza Review and the Strategic Review of DCMS-Sponsored Museums, both published in November.
‘Continuity is a challenge’
The NMDC is yet to formally meet the new minister. Tucker says the organisation will be “briefing him on the value and impact of museums and asking how we can support him in making the case for museums in the spending review”.
The Mendoza Review’s recommendations include a “joined-up approach” between government and its arm’s-length bodies, such as Arts Council England (ACE) and the Heritage Lottery Fund; a clearer museums role for the DCMS; and a stronger development function for ACE within museums.
The Strategic Review of DCMS-Sponsored Museums’ recommendations include “enabling efficiencies” and “ensuring effectiveness”.
Wright completed his first regional visit since taking over the job on 12 July in Coventry, where he met UK City of Culture 2021 officials along with representatives from the Tate, British Council and Science Museum Group.
“The UK City of Culture will be a huge moment for Coventry,” says Wright. “As Hull 2017 demonstrated so successfully, the title can change perceptions, boost the local economy and increase access to arts and culture. It is important that Coventry maximises this opportunity by using culture as a catalyst for regeneration, so that all communities across the city benefit. Coventry is my local city and I know it will rise to the occasion.”
Jeremy Wright replaced Matt Hancock as secretary of state for digital, culture, media and sport in July after Hancock became secretary of state for health and social care. The reshuffle was announced on 9 July following Brexit minster David Davis’s resignation from the government. Hancock was culture secretary for only six months.
“It’s obviously great to have continuity with ministers,” says Iain Watson, the director of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums, who met Wright in July during a visit to Newcastle. “What is most important, however, is ministers who genuinely care about the sector and are briefed and ready to make the case for the value of museums across government.
“I was delighted to be able to welcome the new secretary of state to Discovery Museum, as part of the Great Exhibition of the North,” adds Watson, who is also a Museums Association board member.
“Jeremy Wright was knowledgeable about the exhibition and really interested in the work we are doing. We hope that he will be able to support museums and the bodies that support them in the forthcoming spending review.”
According to Suzie Tucker, the director of strategy and communications at the National Museum Directors’ Council (NMDC), the key priority for Wright must be “ensuring a good funding settlement for the department”, as well as ensuring the implementation of recommendations for the DCMS in the Mendoza Review and the Strategic Review of DCMS-Sponsored Museums, both published in November.
‘Continuity is a challenge’
“We were sorry to lose Matt Hancock, who was an engaged and enthusiastic advocate for the sector,” says Tucker. “Continuity is a challenge, but museums are in a good position, with the recent focus on our sector through the Mendoza Review.
"We hope the DCMS’s commitment to delivery of the Mendoza recommendations will keep museums high on the department’s agenda and ensure ongoing opportunities for engagement.”
The NMDC is yet to formally meet the new minister. Tucker says the organisation will be “briefing him on the value and impact of museums and asking how we can support him in making the case for museums in the spending review”.
The Mendoza Review’s recommendations include a “joined-up approach” between government and its arm’s-length bodies, such as Arts Council England (ACE) and the Heritage Lottery Fund; a clearer museums role for the DCMS; and a stronger development function for ACE within museums.
The Strategic Review of DCMS-Sponsored Museums’ recommendations include “enabling efficiencies” and “ensuring effectiveness”.
Wright completed his first regional visit since taking over the job on 12 July in Coventry, where he met UK City of Culture 2021 officials along with representatives from the Tate, British Council and Science Museum Group.
“The UK City of Culture will be a huge moment for Coventry,” says Wright. “As Hull 2017 demonstrated so successfully, the title can change perceptions, boost the local economy and increase access to arts and culture. It is important that Coventry maximises this opportunity by using culture as a catalyst for regeneration, so that all communities across the city benefit. Coventry is my local city and I know it will rise to the occasion.”
Wright was elected to parliament in 2005 and is the MP for Kenilworth and Southam. He served as attorney general for England and Wales from 2014 to 2018.