Museums Galleries Scotland’s Post

Museums and galleries are essential to Scotland’s culture and economy – and MSPs must empower them to thrive. In this piece for Holyrood Communications, I call for politicians to give museums the funding they need to secure their futures and fulfil their potential as community assets:https://lnkd.in/eYmemB7u Museums and galleries play an important role in developing the wellbeing, education, and confidence of our communities. But our research at Museums Galleries Scotland shows that museums are facing serious financial shortfalls. With the right support from MSPs, the museum sector can build its resilience and help realise our shared ambitions for a healthier, happier, and more inclusive Scotland.

I've always been interested in different methods of measuring the economic and social impact of museums - years ago, the British Library was one to break ground in this area. More details about this current report can be found on https://lnkd.in/ehMQ2T4T

Museums and cultural organisations across the UK, several in Scotland, are facing severe challenges due to funding cuts, putting jobs, collections, and community access to heritage at risk. Auchindrain Township Museum in Argyllshire has already closed to visitors and is unlikely to reopen in its present form after the loss of critical funding from Historic Environment Scotland after March 2025. Alyth Museum is set to close completely, and Perth Art Gallery may move to seasonal opening hours as Culture Perth & Kinross deals with a 12% reduction in council funding. Dundee Contemporary Arts additionally faces uncertainty, with a proposed 10% cut to its funding which could force its closure, exacerbated by rising costs and reduced attendance post-COVID. These cases highlight the precarious state of Scottish cultural heritage amidst ongoing financial pressures. The Museums Association (MA) says the civic museum sector is facing an “existential crisis” and has called for a strategic funding approach from the government and funders alike to resolve the issue. Read more on the MA’s website, below. https://lnkd.in/e4PBQiaw

Including my quote, which hopefully offers an insightful perspective.

Such a valuable thought-piece.

How can museums shift from traditional power structures, to truly empowering historically excluded communities? The Clyfford Still Museum is bringing a careful and collaborative approach to this work through a powerful partnership with the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation. By reconnecting with descendants of individuals depicted in Clyfford Still’s portraits, the museum is fostering genuine, long-term collaboration that prioritizes the voices and perspectives of the Tribal community. Their initiative also goes beyond the present collaboration—it's about rethinking the role of museums in building shared, reciprocal futures. 🔗 Explore how this partnership is creating new pathways for cultural engagement: https://lnkd.in/gUysX6t2

Going to #art museums is expensive because these institutions are 1. typically housed in big, increasingly costly buildings to operate, 2. responsible for the conservation of massive collections of fragile artworks and 3. kept running by large workforces. Yet these institutions aim to disseminate knowledge and enjoyment widely, for which a high admissions charge may be an obstacle. #Museums are being pulled in opposite directions in what amounts to a cultural tug-of-war, the accounting department yanking the rope on one side while the outreach and engagement departments tug from the other. Read more: https://lnkd.in/ektTvggf

Interesting review of the main political parties commitments to the museums sector

Why British museums must start charging entrance fees'–With low pay for workers, decreased funding, and recent theft scandals, Ben Lewis suggests that difficult choices must be made to secure sustainable financing for museums

As budget setting season unfolds in local authorities, the headlines tell a worrying story—museums and cultural spaces across the country facing closure. The funding crisis for public museums demands more than resilience—it requires a fundamental rethink. Over the past decade, deep cuts have forced museums to innovate simply to survive. But when a museum or cultural hub closes, it’s more than a financial decision; it’s a loss that echoes through communities, erasing spaces of connection, learning, and identity. Not every museum will, or should, last forever—just as businesses evolve, adapt, and sometimes close, so too must cultural institutions respond to changing times. However, closures should never be accepted as an easy inevitability when there are opportunities for reinvention, collaboration, and new ways of engaging audiences. Museums that thrive are those that remain relevant, reflective of their communities, and ambitious in their vision. Museums are not just about preserving the past; they are about inspiring the present and shaping the future. When they thrive, they bring people together, spark imagination, and create opportunities for everyone to feel represented. But sustaining this work requires more than just protecting buildings—it needs strategic investment in vision, creativity, and engagement. We must acknowledge the real sense of loss that comes when museums close while also recognising that survival alone is not enough. Museums must evolve, reflecting and serving the needs of communities today. That means embracing inclusivity, fostering engagement, and standing firm in their role as spaces of progress—even when faced with financial or political challenges. The future of museums will not be secured by nostalgia or tradition alone, but by their ability to inspire, innovate, and connect. Now is the time to rethink how we support these vital institutions—so they continue to enrich lives for generations to come. #MuseumsMatter #CulturalFunding #PublicInvestment #MuseumsForEveryone #CulturalLeadership #MuseumSustainability #InvestInCulture https://lnkd.in/e-_uRjwf