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The UK’s National Lottery Heritage Fund has announced several changes to its funding priorities to address concerns for the ‘health and future of the nation’s heritage’
Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 03 Mar 2023
The National Lottery Heritage Fund is set to invest £3.6bn in UK heritage over the next decade Credit: Canva
The UK’s National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) has announced a series of significant changes to its funding priorities as part of its long-term Heritage 2023 strategy, which will see the organisation invest £3.6bn (US$4.3bn, €4bn) in heritage projects across the UK over the next 10 years.
The changes will see the NLHF simplify its processes, with funding applications now being assessed across four criteria: saving heritage; protecting the environment; protecting the environment; inclusion, access and participation; and organisational sustainability.
There will also be an increase in funding available, with organisations able to apply for funds up to and exceeding £10m (US$12m, €11.3m), however, new builds will be actively discouraged with the NLHF preferring to support the reuse of existing structures.
In addition, the NHLF will also examine the long-term benefits of an investment and its impact on the local economy.
“Just as important as taking a 10- or 20-year view of investment is making sure that it’s not just individual projects but whole places that benefit,” NLHF chair Simon Thurley wrote in The Art Newspaper.
According to Thurley, the changes are being brought in to address concerns for the ‘health and future of the nation’s heritage’.
“It used to be thought that investing in a single cultural attraction would transform a place, but it is clear that, for people to fully benefit, investment has to be in the whole heritage infrastructure of a place, not just individual museums, galleries and heritage attractions,” he said.
“Heritage organisations, including museums and galleries, have faced two turbulent years. Although many gained support from the Heritage Fund’s Emergency and Cultural Asset Funds, NLHF has found that nearly half still fear for their long term futures.
“Nobody believes that the next few years will be easy for heritage in the UK, but the Heritage Fund hopes that the realignment of its priorities should help give confidence to plan for a long-term future and build the contribution that heritage makes to national life.”
Eilish McGuinness, chief executive of NLHF, added: “Our new approach has been created through the generous contributions and expertise of many people and partners who care about heritage. We want to continue these conversations, so that National Lottery funding enables heritage to inspire and challenge, delight and fascinate, now and in the future.”
Heritage
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