Voxpop

“Museums are delivering on local authority agendas and this can present a powerful case to decision-makers. We need to have the confidence to embrace this role and to be more visible in delivering it.

Museums are delivering results across health and wellbeing, education and social agendas in a cost-effective, convincing and comprehensive manner, offering alternative routes to welfare pathways.

It is not about changing our mission, as our core purpose as museums delivers on local authority agendas. We just need to get better at being trusted and recognised for that role.”


“They have to help themselves. Museums have to spread risk by generating more earned income through commercial activities, partnerships and fundraising. They must prove to the public and funders that they’re worth it, via better impact measurement.

There should also be more strategic support. Many local authorities have Designated collections, so they need special protection. Stronger penalties from Arts Council England and the Heritage Lottery Fund, such as refusing investment across the cultural sector, would make even hard-up local authorities think twice about selling the family silver.”


“The language of the question is too negative. We have the best regional museums in the world and I am convinced that more local authorities are recognising the value of their local cultural offer.

That doesn’t mean museums’ budgets won’t be cut, but an active conversation with local authorities about the value of museums – in terms of social capital, economy and tourism, learning and so on – is essential.

The arts council has a key role to play. We work closely with local authorities across the country and will continue to advocate for museums at a local, as well as national, level.”


“Keep talking with officers and councillors. Both need to fully understand before budgets are set what would no longer happen – the impact on the local community and visitors. Discuss how any impact could be mitigated, perhaps by phasing. And continue making the museum relevant to the local electorate. A museum that has its community’s support will be more resilient.

We also need to become more self-sufficient, through being more entrepreneurial, and by fundraising and income generation, including learning from others and working in partnership.”