Science centres ‘undermined’ by a lack of government support

The Association for Science and Discovery Centres (ASDC) is urging museums to sign an open letter calling for better recognition and funding for its members.

The letter warns that the work of the UK’s 28 science centres is “being undermined by a lack of government support for the sector”.  

It says its members are largely excluded from public funding schemes – and calls for policy changes that would recognise them as part of the cultural ecosystem alongside museums, libraries and heritage sites.  

Many science and discovery centres were built 25 or more years ago with funding provided by the Millennium Commission and the National Lottery.

Such sites now need essential infrastructure improvements to their roofs, glazing and heating and cooling systems, but are generally expected to self-fund repairs through income generation.

“A 'perfect storm’ of factors has left centres with no option but to draw upon their reserves, leaving less contingency in place for the urgent capital upgrades that are now needed to keep ageing buildings operational, meet future decarbonisation ambitions, and refresh exhibitions to keep abreast with emerging technology,” the letter states.

“Having been excluded from the Culture Recovery Fund that the previous government established during Covid, centres have had to make difficult choices to respond to visitor patterns, which have permanently changed since the pandemic, while remaining accessible to their diverse and minoritised audiences.”

As well as expanding its definition of organisations eligible for infrastructure funding, the ASDC calls for a one-off capital infection of £19.5m and a five-year £60m Science Centre Capital Renewal Fund.

“Science and discovery centres do not make these requests for public funding lightly,” the letter states. “We recognise that resources are finite, and that the government must operate within strict fiscal constraints.”

But it says the “relatively modest investment”, which could be matched on an equal basis by science centres from existing private and philanthropic sources, would boost STEM education and future skills and highlight the importance of science in society for all.

According to the ASDC, more than 5.2 million people visited a science centre last year, more than half of which identified as women and girls. In the past two years, science and discovery centres engaged with 35% of all UK schools, reaching pupils and teachers across 96% of all Parliamentary constituencies.

Last week, the association submitted a budget representation to HM Treasury calling for a fairer funding settlement for centres.