No-deal Brexit would have ‘vast consequences’ for cultural economy

Museums would also lose access to a European network of workers, curators and programmers, he said.

Donoghue told Museums Journal he is "not optimistic in the slightest" that lost EU funding would be replaced following a no-deal departure, adding: "The economic consequences of that for the entire economy, let alone the cultural economy, would be absolutely vast."

"All museums and galleries in the UK have really benefitted from being able to access EU cultural funding, whether that's in terms of supporting temporary exhibitions or touring exhibitions or bringing together a network of workers, curators or programmers," he said.

Donoghue, who says he has raised concerns about EU funding with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, said: "It is their intention that they do [replace funding] but they haven't set sums as to what that might be."

Asked about the implications of no-deal, an Arts Council England spokeswoman said: "Over two-thirds of our funded organisations work internationally and in the event of a 'no-deal' Brexit many would feel the impact immediately.

"The range of issues include staff and artists requiring visas; equipment needing carnets and exhibitions needing licences to tour; in addition to increased costs relating to working or touring overseas."

Donoghue warned that Northern Irish visitor attractions would be particularly affected if a no-deal Brexit led to the creation of a hard border with Ireland, noting that 40% of visitors to Northern Ireland come from the Republic.

"Requiring a hard border, checking passports, customs checks, would have a seriously detrimental effect on the Northern Irish visitor economy, which has just bloomed in the last 20 years since the Good Friday Agreement," he said.

The Irish Tourism Industry Confederation warned last month that a no-deal Brexit would be a "doomsday scenario" for tourism in the country, costing the sector around €260m (£232m) in the immediate aftermath and up to €500m in lost revenue in subsequent years.

The cross-border tourism body added: "It would appear that, irrespective of a 'deal' or 'no deal' between the UK and the EU over the coming months, the impact on the sector will not be without cost."

An additional impact would come if entry to the UK from the EU required visas or an American-style Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (Esta) after Brexit, Donoghue added.

He said: "We know that every time the UK has imposed a visa or Esta-type requirement to come to the UK, leisure visitors in particular have dropped off a cliff almost immediately."