Concern is mounting that there may be a significant number of redundancies in regional museums as a result of the way the current round of Renaissance in the Regions funding has been managed.
The equalisation of funding between the Renaissance hubs has meant a 20 per cent cut in funding for the phase one hubs over 2008-2010. On top of this, all hubs were told by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) that they could bid for only 70 per cent of their funding, with the remaining 30 per cent being held back pending the outcome of the Renaissance review.
Hilary Bracegirdle, director of Truro's Royal Cornwall Museum, which is a partner in the phase one South West hub, said they had expected the drop in funding as a result of equalisation, but not the withholding of 30 per cent of their budget.
"We have already made plenty of difficult decisions as a result of equalisation, but this means we may have to make a significant number of redundancies," she said. Bracegirdle predicted that there could be redundancies in all of the hub museums in the South West region.
But a spokesman for the MLA said the funding round was a process of negotiation. "It was made clear to hubs that if they needed to go above 70 per cent to carry on their current work and avoid redundancies, that would be taken into account. The 70:30 split isn't gospel. It's a guideline around which negotiations can take place."
He said the remainder of the budgets would be allocated once the outcome of the Renaissance review was clear. "We can't fully commit 100 per cent of funding without leaving any for development," he added.
"We are not cutting the programme by 30 per cent - it's a pragmatic process that will take into account the need to develop best practice and innovation, but at the same time continue the programme that has been started."
Other museum directors expressed frustration with the timing of the budget process. The business plans for the 70 per cent of funding were being approved last month as Museums Journal went to press, but bids for the remaining amounts will not be approved until the review of Renaissance is completed next month.
Richard Evans, director of the Beamish museum, which is in the phase one North East hub, said the uncertainty about how the remaining 30 per cent could be spent was affecting the museum's ability to plan for the future.
Vanessa Trevelyan, the head of Norfolk Museums and Archaeology Service, which is the lead partner in the East of England phase two hub, said the timing had made the business planning process awkward. "There is still a bit of ambiguity around the process, which is anxiety inducing," she said.
The equalisation of funding between the Renaissance hubs has meant a 20 per cent cut in funding for the phase one hubs over 2008-2010. On top of this, all hubs were told by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) that they could bid for only 70 per cent of their funding, with the remaining 30 per cent being held back pending the outcome of the Renaissance review.
Hilary Bracegirdle, director of Truro's Royal Cornwall Museum, which is a partner in the phase one South West hub, said they had expected the drop in funding as a result of equalisation, but not the withholding of 30 per cent of their budget.
"We have already made plenty of difficult decisions as a result of equalisation, but this means we may have to make a significant number of redundancies," she said. Bracegirdle predicted that there could be redundancies in all of the hub museums in the South West region.
But a spokesman for the MLA said the funding round was a process of negotiation. "It was made clear to hubs that if they needed to go above 70 per cent to carry on their current work and avoid redundancies, that would be taken into account. The 70:30 split isn't gospel. It's a guideline around which negotiations can take place."
He said the remainder of the budgets would be allocated once the outcome of the Renaissance review was clear. "We can't fully commit 100 per cent of funding without leaving any for development," he added.
"We are not cutting the programme by 30 per cent - it's a pragmatic process that will take into account the need to develop best practice and innovation, but at the same time continue the programme that has been started."
Other museum directors expressed frustration with the timing of the budget process. The business plans for the 70 per cent of funding were being approved last month as Museums Journal went to press, but bids for the remaining amounts will not be approved until the review of Renaissance is completed next month.
Richard Evans, director of the Beamish museum, which is in the phase one North East hub, said the uncertainty about how the remaining 30 per cent could be spent was affecting the museum's ability to plan for the future.
Vanessa Trevelyan, the head of Norfolk Museums and Archaeology Service, which is the lead partner in the East of England phase two hub, said the timing had made the business planning process awkward. "There is still a bit of ambiguity around the process, which is anxiety inducing," she said.
Renaissance at a glance
Renaissance in the Regions is a programme of central government funding for regional museums in England. Funding was initially based on full funding for phase one hubs (North East, South West and West Midlands) and partial funding for phase two hubs (East of England, East Midlands, London, North West, South East and Yorkshire). An equalisation of the funding of phase one and two hubs is taking place from 2008-2010.
Renaissance in the Regions is a programme of central government funding for regional museums in England. Funding was initially based on full funding for phase one hubs (North East, South West and West Midlands) and partial funding for phase two hubs (East of England, East Midlands, London, North West, South East and Yorkshire). An equalisation of the funding of phase one and two hubs is taking place from 2008-2010.
Industry reaction
Steve Miller, chief executive, Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust
"We have worked on the basis of a 70 per cent business plan, which means a far reduced funding allocation. But we have to be able to respond to the results of the review intelligently."
Rita McLean, head of museums and heritage services, Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery
"I'm not sure that everyone has interpreted it in the same way. The timing has been tight but I understand the rationale behind the 70:30 split."
Alec Coles, director, Tyne and Wear Museums
"Renaissance has been a successful programme, and in the North East, it has added to our capacity to work across the region. But I am frustrated at the lead-in time for the budgets."
Steve Miller, chief executive, Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust
"We have worked on the basis of a 70 per cent business plan, which means a far reduced funding allocation. But we have to be able to respond to the results of the review intelligently."
Rita McLean, head of museums and heritage services, Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery
"I'm not sure that everyone has interpreted it in the same way. The timing has been tight but I understand the rationale behind the 70:30 split."
Alec Coles, director, Tyne and Wear Museums
"Renaissance has been a successful programme, and in the North East, it has added to our capacity to work across the region. But I am frustrated at the lead-in time for the budgets."
