A government initiative to increase museum visitor numbers from ethnic minorities has backfired, with a small decrease in attendance last year.
Figures from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) show that it has fallen short of its target two percentage point increase in the proportion of ethnic minorities visiting at least one museum and gallery in the previous 12 months. The proportion has actually fallen, from 35.5 per cent to 33.6 per cent.
Attendance at arts events has also dropped, with those saying they had been to at least one event in the previous year declining from 23.5 per cent to 22.8 per cent. Visits to historic monuments by ethnic minorities also fell slightly.
The statistics come from the DCMS's Taking Part survey, which was commissioned by the department and partners including the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council.
The DCMS admitted there had been "slippage" in its targets. "Clearly, there is more to do," said a spokeswoman.
The culture department is producing an action plan with Arts Council England and will give an update in the next few weeks.
But major museums and galleries claim to have bucked the trend. Sandy Nairne, National Portrait Gallery director, said he was surprised at the figures, as last year had been the 200th anniversary of the abolition of slavery.
"The year had a particular focus and lots of museums did interesting things," he said.
The proportion of visitors to the gallery who were from ethnic minorities rose from six per cent in 2006 to 10 per cent last year. "It is not huge, but it is significant, and we hope it carries on," said Nairne.
The British Museum said it had gained support from ethnic-minority groups for some of its exhibitions.
"We do as many specific themes as possible, to target various groups," said a spokeswoman. "During our China exhibition, we had a special-liaison person for the local Chinese community, and many saw it for free."
The number of visitors from ethnic minorities to Bradford's National Media Museum rose 17 per cent last year to almost 69,000. This compared with an overall rise visitors of 9 per cent.
Last June, the museum hosted a Bollywood exhibition, and it offers work placements to children from local schools with a high proportion of pupils from ethnic minorities.
Figures from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) show that it has fallen short of its target two percentage point increase in the proportion of ethnic minorities visiting at least one museum and gallery in the previous 12 months. The proportion has actually fallen, from 35.5 per cent to 33.6 per cent.
Attendance at arts events has also dropped, with those saying they had been to at least one event in the previous year declining from 23.5 per cent to 22.8 per cent. Visits to historic monuments by ethnic minorities also fell slightly.
The statistics come from the DCMS's Taking Part survey, which was commissioned by the department and partners including the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council.
The DCMS admitted there had been "slippage" in its targets. "Clearly, there is more to do," said a spokeswoman.
The culture department is producing an action plan with Arts Council England and will give an update in the next few weeks.
But major museums and galleries claim to have bucked the trend. Sandy Nairne, National Portrait Gallery director, said he was surprised at the figures, as last year had been the 200th anniversary of the abolition of slavery.
"The year had a particular focus and lots of museums did interesting things," he said.
The proportion of visitors to the gallery who were from ethnic minorities rose from six per cent in 2006 to 10 per cent last year. "It is not huge, but it is significant, and we hope it carries on," said Nairne.
The British Museum said it had gained support from ethnic-minority groups for some of its exhibitions.
"We do as many specific themes as possible, to target various groups," said a spokeswoman. "During our China exhibition, we had a special-liaison person for the local Chinese community, and many saw it for free."
The number of visitors from ethnic minorities to Bradford's National Media Museum rose 17 per cent last year to almost 69,000. This compared with an overall rise visitors of 9 per cent.
Last June, the museum hosted a Bollywood exhibition, and it offers work placements to children from local schools with a high proportion of pupils from ethnic minorities.
At a glance
Proportion of people from ethnic minorities who had visited a museum or gallery in the previous 12 months fell from 35.5 per cent to 33.6 per cent.
Attendance of people from ethnic minorities at art events was down 0.7 points to 22.8 per cent.
Proportion of visitors from ethnic minorities at the National Portrait Gallery, London, rose from 6 per cent in 2006 to 10 per cent last year.
Proportion of people from ethnic minorities who had visited a museum or gallery in the previous 12 months fell from 35.5 per cent to 33.6 per cent.
Attendance of people from ethnic minorities at art events was down 0.7 points to 22.8 per cent.
Proportion of visitors from ethnic minorities at the National Portrait Gallery, London, rose from 6 per cent in 2006 to 10 per cent last year.
