Menu
27/01/2005
Arts Minister seeks reinvigorated museum displays
Arts Minister, Estelle Morris, has announced a series of plans to reinvigorate displays and encourage visitors to come to English museums.
Ms Morris, said that the 2000 museums and galleries in England were "treasure houses" of cultural and national heritage, but she added that too many of the items contained in them are hidden from the public. She said that thousands of high-quality works in major museums were not on regular display, while other museums were seeking fresh items to display.
The Arts Minister hailed England's museums and galleries as being "among the best in the world". She said: "We no longer have to argue the case for investment in them solely in terms of their impact on tourism, education or the economy. They are more deeply rooted in our society than that. But like so many institutions in a changing – and shrinking – world, it makes good sense for museums to look again at where they have got to and where they want to go."
Ms Morris stressed that museums were not in crisis – pointing out that they were receiving "healthy investment" from the government and as well as benefitting from "the brilliance and dedication" of those who worked in the sector. She urged museums to take a more active approach to sharing collections. She said: "We want to see the cultural centre of gravity start to move from the capital – the best of our culture should be accessible to all, no matter where they live. There is a clear and growing appetite around the country for more 'serious' culture while, at the same time, large parts of the collections of some of the major London institutions are rarely seen by the public."
She added: "In a number of our great institutions, work has already started to address this. I want to see more."
The plans, which have been published in a new consultation paper, 'Understanding The Future: Museums and 21st Century Life' include sharing works between museums in order to make them more available to the public and modernising the approach of museum staff.
(KMcA/SP)
Ms Morris, said that the 2000 museums and galleries in England were "treasure houses" of cultural and national heritage, but she added that too many of the items contained in them are hidden from the public. She said that thousands of high-quality works in major museums were not on regular display, while other museums were seeking fresh items to display.
The Arts Minister hailed England's museums and galleries as being "among the best in the world". She said: "We no longer have to argue the case for investment in them solely in terms of their impact on tourism, education or the economy. They are more deeply rooted in our society than that. But like so many institutions in a changing – and shrinking – world, it makes good sense for museums to look again at where they have got to and where they want to go."
Ms Morris stressed that museums were not in crisis – pointing out that they were receiving "healthy investment" from the government and as well as benefitting from "the brilliance and dedication" of those who worked in the sector. She urged museums to take a more active approach to sharing collections. She said: "We want to see the cultural centre of gravity start to move from the capital – the best of our culture should be accessible to all, no matter where they live. There is a clear and growing appetite around the country for more 'serious' culture while, at the same time, large parts of the collections of some of the major London institutions are rarely seen by the public."
She added: "In a number of our great institutions, work has already started to address this. I want to see more."
The plans, which have been published in a new consultation paper, 'Understanding The Future: Museums and 21st Century Life' include sharing works between museums in order to make them more available to the public and modernising the approach of museum staff.
(KMcA/SP)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
08 November 2012
£50m Museums And Galleries Boost Announced
Scotland’s museums and galleries are set to receive almost £50 million from the Scottish Government in 2013-14, the Culture Secretary has announced.
£50m Museums And Galleries Boost Announced
Scotland’s museums and galleries are set to receive almost £50 million from the Scottish Government in 2013-14, the Culture Secretary has announced.
26 November 2009
Anglo-Saxon Gold Haul Tops £3m
Anglo-Saxon treasure recently unearthed in Staffordshire has been valued at £3.28 million, the British Museum has said. The independent Treasure Valuation Committee reached the figure for the largest collection of treasure ever found after meeting at the museum.
Anglo-Saxon Gold Haul Tops £3m
Anglo-Saxon treasure recently unearthed in Staffordshire has been valued at £3.28 million, the British Museum has said. The independent Treasure Valuation Committee reached the figure for the largest collection of treasure ever found after meeting at the museum.
16 June 2011
British Museum Scoops £100K Art Fund Prize
Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt last night presented one of the culture sector's most prestigious accolades to one of the country’s most popular visitor attractions. The British Museum’s groundbreaking project A History of the World won the 2011 Art Fund Prize, worth £100,000.
British Museum Scoops £100K Art Fund Prize
Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt last night presented one of the culture sector's most prestigious accolades to one of the country’s most popular visitor attractions. The British Museum’s groundbreaking project A History of the World won the 2011 Art Fund Prize, worth £100,000.
09 March 2004
Visits to UK museums rise by 11m from 2001
More people are taking advantage of free admission to museums and galleries in England, according to new figures out today. Visits have risen by nearly 11 million since the introduction of the free admissions policy in December 2001. There were 5.3 million extra visitors in the first year, and an extra 5.6 million last year.
Visits to UK museums rise by 11m from 2001
More people are taking advantage of free admission to museums and galleries in England, according to new figures out today. Visits have risen by nearly 11 million since the introduction of the free admissions policy in December 2001. There were 5.3 million extra visitors in the first year, and an extra 5.6 million last year.
16 December 2003
Grant to help museum celebrate UK's links with Africa
Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell today announced a special grant of £500,000 for the British Museum, to fund projects celebrating the link between the UK and Africa. The grant will fund a portfolio of events that will take place around Africa 2005. The British Museum will be raising money from other sources, as well.
Grant to help museum celebrate UK's links with Africa
Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell today announced a special grant of £500,000 for the British Museum, to fund projects celebrating the link between the UK and Africa. The grant will fund a portfolio of events that will take place around Africa 2005. The British Museum will be raising money from other sources, as well.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
