Using technology to improve access to the UK’s smaller museums and galleries

This summer Art Fund launched Art Pass Unbooked an innovative approach to helping visitors support local cultural institutions.

According to Research conducted by Opinium for Art Fund, as lockdown lifted and beloved institutions across the country reopened their doors this summer people across the UK planned a massive 66 trips to museums and galleries.

However, the vast majority (65%) planned to visit one of the top ten biggest museums in the UK, compared with just 39% who said they would visit one of the 2,000-plus smaller venues across the country. The data also suggested that there could be a regional disparity in museums’ fortunes – eight of those ‘top ten’ museums and galleries are based in London. Yet the research also showed concern among the public around the survival of smaller organisations, 48% saying it would be a ‘tragedy’ if smaller museums and galleries were to close and if they were to, the country could lose some of its most valuable cultural assets.

Many visitors also had concerns about what they would face during their visit. Almost two thirds (62%) expected to encounter long queues due to the combination of COVID measures and increased demand. Nearly half (43%) expected to see price hikes as venues attempt to recoup lost earnings and demand was also seen to be an issue with one in five (20%) saying that they had tried to book an event or attraction in the UK earlier this summer only to find it to be sold out.

The launch of Art Pass Unbooked at the start of summer sought to address this.

Growing out of Art Fund’s Art Tickets platform, this new platform inspires great ideas for days out by bringing together hundreds of museums and galleries from across the UK in one place, for the first time, clarifying local availability and enhancing the visibility of the nation’s less well-known museums and galleries as they recover post lockdown. Users can find nearby museums that have tickets available – helping them beat the queues for entry expected at the larger institutions.

Data from Art Fund also shows that smaller museums and galleries need the support of the public to get back on their feet. Indeed 55% of museums and galleries across the country – the vast majority of which are smaller operations – remain concerned about their long-term survival.

Jenny Waldman, Art Fund director said “We have launched Art Pass Unbooked to open up the possibilities and support local museums and galleries across the UK. This is a one stop shop for culture, allowing users to search among hundreds of museums and galleries, find availability, and book a spontaneous day out.

It’s the perfect way to get a culture fix, avoid the big crowds, and support these vital institutions.”

Click here to find out more about Art Pass Unbooked>>