Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy announces that £1.5 billion will be invested to prevent closures and address urgent capital needs over a five-year period.
The support includes more than £100 million specifically earmarked for local museums struggling with maintenance backlogs and bills and is expected to directly support up to 200 sites across the country.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said:
“Our local cultural institutions aren’t just buildings — they’re part of who we are as a nation, they help tell our national story and provide unique opportunities for young people to pursue their dreams.
This funding will keep the doors open and the lights on at thousands of arts organisations, museums, libraries and heritage buildings that might otherwise have been at real risk of closing.“
£760 million of the funding is earmarked for museums, including
- £600 million infrastructure funding to support national museums and DCMS sponsored cultural organisations. Funding will address critical maintenance and works to estates and enable these institutions to deliver on their commitments to share their collections and expertise nationally, drawing in visitors from around the world.
- £160 million to be invested in local and regional museums. The Museum Estates and Development Fund will help museums tackle maintenance backlogs, and a new £13.6 million Museum Transformation programme will support organisations to move towards more sustainable business models.
- £80 million capital funding over four years to benefit National Portfolio organisations that receive regular investment from Arts Council England. This is part of a 5% uplift next year for these organisations that will help deliver arts and culture activity in every local authority.
Responding to the news, AIM Director Lisa Ollerhead said:
“This is very welcome news and a mark of just how vital the contribution of museums is to our national life. We appreciate how much pressure there is on government funding so to see ongoing investment through the likes of MEND is particularly gratifying and testament to our sector’s advocacy. It will help many of our members address urgent maintenance needs and, ultimately, welcome more visitors.
We also look forward to exploring the details of the Museum Transformation programme, which couldn’t be more timely; we know traditional operating models are becoming increasingly difficult to maintain. AIM will shortly release a significant piece of research in this area, and a suite of resources to help members transition to a position of proactive, future readiness. Ongoing support during such change will be critical so our advocacy efforts continue.”
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