Museums in ‘crisis’ as a quarter are dealt public funding cuts

Photo of a smiling skull
04 Apr 2017

Despite the cuts, many museums are managing to increase income through commercial activities and fundraising, the Museums Association’s survey has found.

Liverpool museums worth £53m to the North West

Woman and baby in the museum
24 Mar 2017

An economic and social impact study has revealed how National Museums Liverpool contributes to the local economy, tourism, education and health and wellbeing.

Marketing a sensitive and brutal history

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20 Mar 2017

The rise of the selfie has created new problems for those managing ‘dark tourism’ sites, such as Auschwitz-Birkenau. Félicie Kertudo examines how they can promote themselves ethically. 

Our horrible histories

Photo of people throwing paper into a river
15 Mar 2017

Should museums shy away from talking about torture, sexuality and death with children? Sacha Coward explains why he thinks no topic should be off limits. 

Museum visitor numbers drop for the first time in a decade

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26 Jan 2017

Although visits by UK nationals have held steady, visitor numbers from overseas have fallen despite an overall increase in tourism.

Private art in public places

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26 Jan 2017

Many great public art collections were founded upon the bequests of private collectors, but how can galleries engage the collectors and philanthropists of the future? Kirstie Hamilton reports on Museums Sheffield investigations.

Stopping art theft

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01 Dec 2016

How can museums and galleries stop highly organised art theft? Andy Davis recommends an approach that combines a mix of security measures.

Leaders for change

Photo of children at table in museum
03 Nov 2016

Claire Antrobus reveals how volunteers, trustees and staff at Ripon Museum Trust have developed their leadership and coaching skills, resulting in greater organisational resilience, better internal communication and clearer roles.

Breaking down barriers

Photo of Jo Correa
17 Oct 2016

Could arts organisations be doing more to help young people at the start of their careers? Sam Jackman and Mary Olszewska feed back on a scheme aiming to do just that in Plymouth.

British Museum breached ethics code, claim protesters

05 Oct 2016

Anti-oil campaigners are calling for the Museum’s sponsorship deal with BP to be reviewed following revelations that trustees weren’t involved in the decision to renew the relationship.

Looking at Londoners

Photo of British Museum
22 Sep 2016

Visitor numbers may have grown, but the diversity of museum-goers in London has hardly changed over the past ten years. James Doeser and colleagues suggest what new research is needed if London’s museums are to understand how to attract new audiences.

Positive and professional

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22 Sep 2016

Training has given many non-specialist fundraisers in the East of England the skills and confidence to make their case to potential funders, says Miranda Rowlands.

Caught on film

Photo of old people smiling
15 Sep 2016

Short films showcasing the work of museums in Cornwall have had a real impact on the local community and attracted the attention of key influencers and decision-makers. Chloe Hughes explains.

Noisy fundraising

Photo of the exterior of the Design Museum at night
15 Sep 2016

Josephine Chanter reveals how The Design Museum ditched its quiet fundraising approach, starting with a glamorous benefit auction in central London.

Tax relief to benefit temporary and touring exhibitions

Photo women hanging pictures
07 Sep 2016

A Government consultation on how tax relief can best be used to encourage more exhibitions and touring activity is now underway.

Challenging a monolithic culture

Photo of spiral staircase in museum
21 Jul 2016

The arts sector talks a lot about diversity, but what can actually be done to achieve it? Monica Montgomery suggests ten ways to take action.

Exposing ethical questions

Face-painted man with sign: 'Celebrating the dead, silencing the living'
07 Jul 2016

Following revelations that BP influenced curatorial decisions at the British Museum, Chris Garrard examines how arts organisations should be navigating the tricky ethical territory of sponsorship.

Museum and gallery employment estimates rise

Photo of woman in museum
07 Jul 2016

The latest Government statistics suggest the creative industries are continuing to grow and improve diversity.

Engagement starts with communication

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28 Jun 2016

To engage visitors, a museum must start by cultivating dialogue between its staff members, says Corinne Estrada. 

V&A to launch new research institute

Photo of book of silks
03 Jun 2016

A £1.75m grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation will allow the museum to expand its research and teaching activities over the next five years. 

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