Council museums receive £1m funding boost

Art Fund has announced £1m of support to local authority-reliant museums and galleries across the UK amid concerns that the government has not addressed long-term funding challenges for the sector.

Organisations receiving funds include MK Gallery in Milton Keynes, the Dylan Thomas Boathouse in Carmarthenshire, and the People’s Palace in Glasgow.

Birmingham Museums Trust and Derby Museums have also been awarded grants.

In total, 20 museums and galleries have been funded £800,000 through the charity’s Reimagine grants programme, with a further £200,000 distributed by Museum Development UK (MDUK).

Jenny Waldman, director of Art Fund, explained the need for the funding in light of this week’s budget, which she said “falls short of addressing the urgent and long-term challenges facing the sector, particularly for civic museums.”

She continued, “We will continue to make the case for long-term investment in all UK museums to safeguard these vital spaces of inspiration for communities both now and in the future.”

Funded projects

Among the projects that have received funding is Collections in the Community, a Birmingham Museums Trust initiative to open up the city’s nationally significant collections.

The project, part of BMT’s 10-year Dynamic Collections programme, has been awarded £49,728, with the money enabling it better to involve underrepresented groups in the management of its collections.

Derby Museums has been awarded £45,000 for a “wool takeover” at the city’s Museum of Making.

This will bring together manufacturers, young people, industry experts and consumers to discuss sustainable fashion. It will also produce a workshop programme for young people, families and broader audiences.

Meanwhile, Fermanagh County Museum in Northern Ireland has been awarded £42,000 for its Art In Our Hands project.

This will “reimagine how Fermanagh County Museum’s collections are enjoyed through a participatory programme of creative activities”.

The project will use art and artefacts to “enhance wellbeing for rurally isolated groups, people with health conditions or have experienced trauma”.

Waldman said, “We’re extremely pleased to offer £1m in support to local authority-reliant museums and galleries across the UK – from Carmarthenshire to County Fermanagh – through this latest round of Reimagine grants.

“The projects showcase the incredible value local museums have for communities and demonstrate their remarkable ambition, resilience and entrepreneurial spirit in the face of growing challenges.

“Three-quarters of UK adults say having a local museum adds value to their area. Museums play a central role in rebuilding communities, bringing people together and inspiring audiences through their collections.”