As the dust settles at the end of the financial year and we look around cautiously to see which of the museums that were under threat of closure are still standing, it’s a good time to consider future funding.
Last month, Arts Council England (ACE) consulted with museums and arts organisations about its spending plans. Although the plans are for 2018 onwards, they must be rooted in the present reality if they are to have impact.
ACE proposals include integrating Major Partner Museums with National Portfolio Organisations (NPO) and creating bands of funding within the NPO structure, as well as allowing museums to apply for grants that weren’t previously accessible.
It makes sense for museums to be merged with the arts portfolio, but there are caveats.
The distinctive characteristics of museums – they have collections and are about more than art – should be respected. Museums should not be disadvantaged by being later to the table, and should be supported so that they can make strong applications at all levels. And the museum element of the pot should be ringfenced, at least for a transitional period, to ensure that at least the same amount of money is invested in museums.
Most importantly, the plans should be strategic and look at the museum ecology across England. There is a danger that cold spots could open up in the regions and that collections will be left in limbo; a strategic approach to funding could go some way towards fixing that.
Sharon Heal is the director of the Museums Association
Last month, Arts Council England (ACE) consulted with museums and arts organisations about its spending plans. Although the plans are for 2018 onwards, they must be rooted in the present reality if they are to have impact.
ACE proposals include integrating Major Partner Museums with National Portfolio Organisations (NPO) and creating bands of funding within the NPO structure, as well as allowing museums to apply for grants that weren’t previously accessible.
It makes sense for museums to be merged with the arts portfolio, but there are caveats.
The distinctive characteristics of museums – they have collections and are about more than art – should be respected. Museums should not be disadvantaged by being later to the table, and should be supported so that they can make strong applications at all levels. And the museum element of the pot should be ringfenced, at least for a transitional period, to ensure that at least the same amount of money is invested in museums.
Most importantly, the plans should be strategic and look at the museum ecology across England. There is a danger that cold spots could open up in the regions and that collections will be left in limbo; a strategic approach to funding could go some way towards fixing that.
Sharon Heal is the director of the Museums Association