The Art Fund is to increase its acquisition fund by 56% over the next four years and fund a curatorial trainee scheme with two regional museums.
The organisation’s annual funding for museums and galleries to acquire works will increase from £4.5m to £7m by 2014.
It is anticipated that the extra money will be generated by enhancements to Art Fund membership, including the launch of an art pass that entitles holders to free entry to 200 museums and galleries and 50% off entry to major exhibitions.
Art Fund director Stephen Deuchar said many museum directors were concerned that acquisitions would no longer be possible in light of local and national funding cuts.
“Museums can’t stop collecting – acquisitions are their lifeblood... and the Art Fund must and can do more to respond to this significant challenge,” he added.
The curatorial scheme will run from September 2011 to June 2013. Two curators will work on specific projects and training around pre-1900 European painting at the National Gallery and a regional museum partner.
Museums and trainees are being invited to apply to take part in the scheme. The Art Fund’s head of programmes, Sarah Philp, said: “Supporting curatorial expertise, particularly within regional museums, is a core element of our funding programme.”
Nicholas Penny, director of the National Gallery, added: “Curatorial expertise in regional museums has been greatly reduced in recent years and it is certain that the cuts will make things worse.
“We are joining forces with the Art Fund to do something to halt this decline and ensure that discerning collecting for regional collections, and a deep understanding of what those collections include, continues in the future.”
The organisation’s annual funding for museums and galleries to acquire works will increase from £4.5m to £7m by 2014.
It is anticipated that the extra money will be generated by enhancements to Art Fund membership, including the launch of an art pass that entitles holders to free entry to 200 museums and galleries and 50% off entry to major exhibitions.
Art Fund director Stephen Deuchar said many museum directors were concerned that acquisitions would no longer be possible in light of local and national funding cuts.
“Museums can’t stop collecting – acquisitions are their lifeblood... and the Art Fund must and can do more to respond to this significant challenge,” he added.
The curatorial scheme will run from September 2011 to June 2013. Two curators will work on specific projects and training around pre-1900 European painting at the National Gallery and a regional museum partner.
Museums and trainees are being invited to apply to take part in the scheme. The Art Fund’s head of programmes, Sarah Philp, said: “Supporting curatorial expertise, particularly within regional museums, is a core element of our funding programme.”
Nicholas Penny, director of the National Gallery, added: “Curatorial expertise in regional museums has been greatly reduced in recent years and it is certain that the cuts will make things worse.
“We are joining forces with the Art Fund to do something to halt this decline and ensure that discerning collecting for regional collections, and a deep understanding of what those collections include, continues in the future.”