£10.5m for university museums confirmed
The Higher Education Funding Council for England (Hefce) has confirmed university museums will receive £10.5m for the academic year 2010/11 following its funding allocation review
The funding is up from £10.25m last year. In total, 20 museums and galleries have seen an increase in their funding allocations, while seven have seen a cut.
Meanwhile, five museums will receive funding from Hefce for the first time this academic year and two will receive no funding at all.
Click here to download the full list of funding allocations
There has been widespread concern that funding from Hefce might be cut following the review - especially as confirmation of individual allocations was originally expected in the spring.
Despite the rise in funding for most museums, fears for the future persist. Hefce says the new allocation constitutes the baseline for funding over the next five years but this is subject to October’s spending review, which is likely to see departmental budgets cut by an average of 25 per cent.
“This feels like a stay of execution,” said Nick Merriman, director of Manchester Museum, which receives 40 per cent of its total income from Hefce.
Hefce is also under pressure to be more transparent about the funding process and to introduce performance targets.
Sally MacDonald, director of museums, collections and public engagement at University College London, said: “While it’s good to see recognition of the important work university museums do, clear targets should be set for the sector so we know we are working to Hefce's agenda."
Image: Manchester Museum, credit Steve Devine
Meanwhile, five museums will receive funding from Hefce for the first time this academic year and two will receive no funding at all.
Click here to download the full list of funding allocations
There has been widespread concern that funding from Hefce might be cut following the review - especially as confirmation of individual allocations was originally expected in the spring.
Despite the rise in funding for most museums, fears for the future persist. Hefce says the new allocation constitutes the baseline for funding over the next five years but this is subject to October’s spending review, which is likely to see departmental budgets cut by an average of 25 per cent.
“This feels like a stay of execution,” said Nick Merriman, director of Manchester Museum, which receives 40 per cent of its total income from Hefce.
Hefce is also under pressure to be more transparent about the funding process and to introduce performance targets.
Sally MacDonald, director of museums, collections and public engagement at University College London, said: “While it’s good to see recognition of the important work university museums do, clear targets should be set for the sector so we know we are working to Hefce's agenda."
Image: Manchester Museum, credit Steve Devine