Vox pop

“Collecting doesn’t have to be the number one priority at the expense of everything else a museum does. But acquisitions do matter.  I know many museum directors are worried that, as they tighten their belts, significant acquisitions may no longer be possible, and that the continuing development of museums as major cultural centres may be fatally compromised.

Collections lie at the heart of museums, and fresh acquisitions are their very lifeblood. Renewal and development is what keeps them alive and thriving, constantly responding to the appetite of their growing publics. 

Museums can’t stop collecting – it would be like a theatre saying it wasn’t going to mount any new productions, or a library saying they weren’t going to buy any more books.”


“Most funding for acquisitions is raised from sources that are concerned with supporting acquisitions, so stopping collecting does not necessarily protect jobs and services.

It is essential for collections to develop if they are to reflect society; a closed collection will quickly lose its relevance. The acquisition of the Staffordshire Hoard by Birmingham and Stoke, and the Art Fund International partnership between Birmingham and Walsall, are two examples where other people’s money has been used to acquire exciting new works that will attract new audiences.

We need to be smarter in our choices and more enterprising in our approach but continued acquisitions is the optimistic response to the present climate.”


“For me, the answer has to be no. Can we really justify spending significant sums on more stuff when so many museums already have bulging stores?

What will our audiences think if we buy what we feel is a crucial object but then reduce opening hours or cancel learning and participation programmes?

Our core purpose is clear. Museums, galleries and heritage organisations exist to look after objects and places so that all sorts of people can enjoy them and use them as their own resource.

When we’ve made all of our current collections engaging and relevant for a diverse range of people, then perhaps we can prioritise adding to them. For now, there are still plenty of toys that aren’t being played with.”


“The Art Fund’s proposal to increase its acquisition fund, is a huge boost to the sector. In these straightened times, it is vitally important to demonstrate museums’ public value and manage collections effectively.

An increasing number of collecting opportunities will arise as a result of the economic climate – sale prices will drop, private owners will reconsider their holdings and some businesses will disappear and it is important that museums are well placed to capitalise on such opportunities, providing the acquisitions they make fit into a larger acquisition and disposal strategy.

Displaying a new acquisition physically or virtually is a great way of engaging new audiences, attracting media attention and boosting morale.”