John Roles director, Leeds Museums and Galleries
"Local authority budgets are being squeezed in many ways and at the same time we have seen massive increases in utility prices. There is also an indirect impact through loss of sponsorship and less commercial hire of venues.
But when money is tight, free museums and galleries become even better value and at a time of rising unemployment the services museums offer can be critical in maintaining the integrity of the social fabric.
At least the crunch comes at a time when museums are stronger than ever after a decade of capital investment and with visitor numbers continuing to soar. The new Leeds City Museum opened as the crunch broke but has seen over 100,000 visitors in its first three months."
Ian Carradice course director, museum and gallery studies, University of St Andrews
"Not much, I hope, since we recently opened a new university museum in St Andrews so we want lots of visitors. In a recession people cut back on spending, but this should not discourage them from visiting free museums, though they might spend less in museum shops and cafes.
The fall in the pound could also help visitor numbers. It should encourage people to take a 'staycation', which might mean more domestic visitors for museums, and could encourage overseas visitors as well.
In Scotland we should also benefit from the current marketing drive for Homecoming Scotland 2009, as long as people are not put off by VisitScotland's cheesy advert (www.homecomingscotland.com/caledonia.html)."
Stuart Davies president, Museums Association
"There is no hiding place from recession. A severe downturn in economic activity will get to us all. Especially vulnerable are those museums which cost most to visit. Least vulnerable are those with sound business plans, strongly committed stakeholders, secure subsidy or perhaps those that can attract overseas tourists because sterling is so weak.
The precise impact of recession will be difficult to measure because some changes which would have happened anyway - such as a tough fiscal settlement for national and local government - will be mixed up with recession consequences. The next two years are going to be hard."
Samuel Jones researcher, Demos
"A quick look at the corporate donors boards in the nationals reveals companies that are either suffering or are no more. Public funding, too, will become tighter; cuts have already come at local, non-statutory levels. The Treasury, rightly, will have to ensure maximum returns.
But, in the long run, the Treasury will also want more than economic returns. The credit crunch has forced us to think about our values: as banks fall, we have seen applications for teacher training rise as people look for more meaning in their careers.
Museums are all about values: they won't end a crisis, but they can help us come to terms with its effects. The immediate economic strain will be painful, but museums must take the chance to show the Treasury and others why they matter."
"Local authority budgets are being squeezed in many ways and at the same time we have seen massive increases in utility prices. There is also an indirect impact through loss of sponsorship and less commercial hire of venues.
But when money is tight, free museums and galleries become even better value and at a time of rising unemployment the services museums offer can be critical in maintaining the integrity of the social fabric.
At least the crunch comes at a time when museums are stronger than ever after a decade of capital investment and with visitor numbers continuing to soar. The new Leeds City Museum opened as the crunch broke but has seen over 100,000 visitors in its first three months."
Ian Carradice course director, museum and gallery studies, University of St Andrews
"Not much, I hope, since we recently opened a new university museum in St Andrews so we want lots of visitors. In a recession people cut back on spending, but this should not discourage them from visiting free museums, though they might spend less in museum shops and cafes.
The fall in the pound could also help visitor numbers. It should encourage people to take a 'staycation', which might mean more domestic visitors for museums, and could encourage overseas visitors as well.
In Scotland we should also benefit from the current marketing drive for Homecoming Scotland 2009, as long as people are not put off by VisitScotland's cheesy advert (www.homecomingscotland.com/caledonia.html)."
Stuart Davies president, Museums Association
"There is no hiding place from recession. A severe downturn in economic activity will get to us all. Especially vulnerable are those museums which cost most to visit. Least vulnerable are those with sound business plans, strongly committed stakeholders, secure subsidy or perhaps those that can attract overseas tourists because sterling is so weak.
The precise impact of recession will be difficult to measure because some changes which would have happened anyway - such as a tough fiscal settlement for national and local government - will be mixed up with recession consequences. The next two years are going to be hard."
Samuel Jones researcher, Demos
"A quick look at the corporate donors boards in the nationals reveals companies that are either suffering or are no more. Public funding, too, will become tighter; cuts have already come at local, non-statutory levels. The Treasury, rightly, will have to ensure maximum returns.
But, in the long run, the Treasury will also want more than economic returns. The credit crunch has forced us to think about our values: as banks fall, we have seen applications for teacher training rise as people look for more meaning in their careers.
Museums are all about values: they won't end a crisis, but they can help us come to terms with its effects. The immediate economic strain will be painful, but museums must take the chance to show the Treasury and others why they matter."
