In brief

The Art Fund and the National Museum Directors’ Council have jointly commissioned a research project into the psychology of giving. The project aims to generate a better understanding of why so few people donate when they visit a museum and find out what could motivate them to give more. It is hoped that the research will stimulate new approaches to fundraising, which may be piloted at museums next year.


A metal detectorist has discovered a hoard of 159 Late Roman gold coins on private land in St Albans, Hertfordshire. It is believed to be one of the largest Roman hoards to have been discovered in the UK. St Albans council hopes to put the coins on display at the Verulamium Museum.


Wet weather and the Olympics fuelled an average 13% fall in visitor numbers at London museums and galleries between May and August compared with 2011, according to the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions. Outdoor attractions took a bigger hit, with attendances at London’s gardens and heritage sites down 20% on average. In the rest of England, visits to museums and galleries fell by almost 9%, although in Scotland, attendances were 16% up.


Tate’s membership scheme has signed up more than 100,000 people, making it the largest such organisation in Europe. When Tate Modern launched in May 2000, there were 25,000 members. Subscription income will total more than £6m this year.