Public sector spending cuts are hitting museums across the UK. Somerset County Council is to cut its heritage budget by 12% (£200,000) over the three years from April 2011.
Tom Mayberry, the council’s heritage officer, said: “In year one, we hope to meet the savings through a recruitment freeze. Beyond that, we will be looking at governance options and partnerships to sustain the heritage service.”
The Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum in Bournemouth is undergoing a review, to be completed early next year, which will lead to a restructure.
Kerry Curtis, the museum’s marketing and funding manager, said this could result in up to 60% of the museum’s income being generated through philanthropy in a few years.
The museum made £100,000 in savings this financial year, but has yet to receive its local authority’s budget-saving targets. The Imperial War Museum Duxford has closed its Land Warfare and Hangar 3 galleries until 18 March to make off-season savings.
Exeter City Council debated last month whether its Royal Albert Memorial Museum, currently being refurbished, should charge for entry, and open on Sundays instead of Mondays and Tuesdays.
Aberdeen Council is considering a budgeting report that includes an option to close all of the city’s art galleries and museums to save £735,000. A decision will be made on 15 December.
Hambleton District Council is looking at transferring the World of James Herriot to trust status. A fixed subsidy of £60,000 has been agreed for the museum for 2011-12.
Middlesex University’s Museum of Domestic Design & Architecture will close next summer.
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