The challenges of acquiring, storing, researching and displaying collections are constantly discussed in the sector, and rightly so – collections are what makes museums unique.
The latest addition to this debate is Why Collect?, by historian David Cannadine, commissioned by the Art Fund and the Wolfson Foundation. This well-written report raises lots of interesting questions that will contribute to ongoing discussions about the future of collections. The Museums Association (MA) plans to take this debate further with a year-long collaborative research project into the state of collections and their use. This will build on the MA’s 2005 Collections for the Future report and the Esmée Fairbairn Collections Fund, which is managed by the MA and offers nearly £1.2m yearly to collections projects that have a social impact.
The Why Collect? report features several case studies that highlight the power of collections to make a real impact on communities. These include Manchester Museum’s acquisition of a refugee’s lifejacket, Glasgow Museums’ work to develop a collection of south Asian art and the challenges Ulster Museum faces in telling the story of the Troubles in Northern Ireland in a balanced and engaging way.
As the report says: “Several of these case studies make clear that new acquisitions, appropriately displayed, can significantly enhance existing collections, and can also make a positive impact on the morale and welfare of local communities.”
The Why Collect? report does not contain any startling revelations about collections and collecting, but where it is crystal clear is in the view that more public money needs to be invested in museums.
“Commissioning more DCMS reports, announcing additional policy initiatives and constantly tinkering with so-called ‘delivery bodies’ are no substitutes for the increased government support for our museums and galleries that is belatedly required and urgently needed,” writes Cannadine. Whatever the future of collecting, this is the real truth that the government needs to face. Ignoring the problem won’t make it go away.
The MA’s Future of Museums: Collections conference is at the Wellcome Collection, London, on 20 March. It will include a talk on Why Collect?
Simon Stephens, editor, Museums Journal
The latest addition to this debate is Why Collect?, by historian David Cannadine, commissioned by the Art Fund and the Wolfson Foundation. This well-written report raises lots of interesting questions that will contribute to ongoing discussions about the future of collections. The Museums Association (MA) plans to take this debate further with a year-long collaborative research project into the state of collections and their use. This will build on the MA’s 2005 Collections for the Future report and the Esmée Fairbairn Collections Fund, which is managed by the MA and offers nearly £1.2m yearly to collections projects that have a social impact.
The Why Collect? report features several case studies that highlight the power of collections to make a real impact on communities. These include Manchester Museum’s acquisition of a refugee’s lifejacket, Glasgow Museums’ work to develop a collection of south Asian art and the challenges Ulster Museum faces in telling the story of the Troubles in Northern Ireland in a balanced and engaging way.
As the report says: “Several of these case studies make clear that new acquisitions, appropriately displayed, can significantly enhance existing collections, and can also make a positive impact on the morale and welfare of local communities.”
The Why Collect? report does not contain any startling revelations about collections and collecting, but where it is crystal clear is in the view that more public money needs to be invested in museums.
“Commissioning more DCMS reports, announcing additional policy initiatives and constantly tinkering with so-called ‘delivery bodies’ are no substitutes for the increased government support for our museums and galleries that is belatedly required and urgently needed,” writes Cannadine. Whatever the future of collecting, this is the real truth that the government needs to face. Ignoring the problem won’t make it go away.
The MA’s Future of Museums: Collections conference is at the Wellcome Collection, London, on 20 March. It will include a talk on Why Collect?
Simon Stephens, editor, Museums Journal
