Independent museums have been warned that the next 12 months will be challenging in light of decreasing secondary visitor spend and grant income, despite figures highlighting their value to the economy.
Research by the Association of Independent Museums (AIM) shows that the annual contribution of the independent museum sector to the wider economy is estimated to be between £610m and £930m. This includes admission fees, visitor spend on goods and services, and the salaries of more than 5,800 employees.
However, the AIM report warned that the economic climate meant museums were under increasing pressure to prove their economic contribution. And with the real impact of local authority cuts expected to hit next year, independent museums have been urged to find new income streams other than grant income and admissions if they are to survive.
Keith Merrin, chief executive at Woodhorn Museums, Archives and Country Park, who was on the steering group for the AIM report, said: “We continue to work to reduce our reliance on public money.
“However, there are concerns that as local authority budgets reduce, they won’t hire our facilities for conferences and functions, and also around redundancies, as many people in the north-east are employed in the public sector.”
Steve Miller, chief executive of Ironbridge Gorge, said that while many independent museums had benefited from the trend for “staycations” in terms of increased admission income, many faced a “rocky road” ahead in the face of reduced secondary income from cafe and retail sales, and conferences.
Despite Ironbridge Gorge investing in its retail offer, income has remained static, even though visitor numbers have risen.
But Miller added: “I am optimistic that the entrepreneurial nature of independent museums means they will be able to survive these challenges. Some may even thrive if they diversify and find new opportunities not previously considered.”
Image: A wedding reception at Blists Hill Victorian Town. Museums are being encouraged to find additional sources of income
Research by the Association of Independent Museums (AIM) shows that the annual contribution of the independent museum sector to the wider economy is estimated to be between £610m and £930m. This includes admission fees, visitor spend on goods and services, and the salaries of more than 5,800 employees.
However, the AIM report warned that the economic climate meant museums were under increasing pressure to prove their economic contribution. And with the real impact of local authority cuts expected to hit next year, independent museums have been urged to find new income streams other than grant income and admissions if they are to survive.
Keith Merrin, chief executive at Woodhorn Museums, Archives and Country Park, who was on the steering group for the AIM report, said: “We continue to work to reduce our reliance on public money.
“However, there are concerns that as local authority budgets reduce, they won’t hire our facilities for conferences and functions, and also around redundancies, as many people in the north-east are employed in the public sector.”
Steve Miller, chief executive of Ironbridge Gorge, said that while many independent museums had benefited from the trend for “staycations” in terms of increased admission income, many faced a “rocky road” ahead in the face of reduced secondary income from cafe and retail sales, and conferences.
Despite Ironbridge Gorge investing in its retail offer, income has remained static, even though visitor numbers have risen.
But Miller added: “I am optimistic that the entrepreneurial nature of independent museums means they will be able to survive these challenges. Some may even thrive if they diversify and find new opportunities not previously considered.”
Image: A wedding reception at Blists Hill Victorian Town. Museums are being encouraged to find additional sources of income