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UK museums ‘fighting for survival’ warns Art Fund

UK lockdown restrictions have left six in 10 museums, galleries and historic houses concerned for their survival post-pandemic

The Williamson Art Gallery & Museum in Birkenhead, UK, could close as a result of COVID-19

National lockdown restrictions in the UK have left museums and galleries “fighting for survival” the Art Fund has warned.

The charity, which raises funds for art acquisitions for museums and galleries across the UK, has predicted that smaller institutions are likely to suffer the most and may even face closure in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Several institutions have already been forced to close, with London’s Florence Nightingale Museum closing its doors in January.

Local art for local artists

The Williamson Art Gallery & Museum in Birkenhead, UK, is also under threat of closure.

The gallery, which recently featured on Grayson’s Art Club on Channel 4, was founded in 1928 and aimed to provide access to culture for the working-class residents of The Wirral.

“We’re very fortunate to have it on our doorstep. It’s a treasure trove, really, for us. Somewhere to come and find something new and be inspired,” said local artists Amrit and Rabindra Kaur Singh. “The important thing about this gallery for us, in particular, was the fact that it was showcasing the talent on our doorstep, you know, we didn’t have to go to London or to the big galleries to actually experience this high calibre art.

What would be lost if COVID closed the doors on it because of the financial difficulties of keeping this wonderful place afloat?”

Artist and presenter Grayson Perry said: “The pandemic has produced an inspirational outpouring of creativity, [but] it’s also threatened the very existence of many of our most treasured institutions.”

Fighting for survival

While the Art Fund offers emergency response funding to assist facilities in financial difficulty, the charity has only been able to assist with 15% of applications received.

“The latest lockdown is a body blow and is leaving our museums and galleries fighting for survival,” said Art Fund director Jenny Waldman.

“Smaller museums in particular, which are so vital to their communities, simply do not have the reserves to see them through this winter.”

According to research previously conducted by the charity, six in 10 museums, galleries and historic houses have concerns about their ability to survive the pandemic.

“Tragically, we are now seeing well-known and much-loved museums facing mothballing or permanent closure,” Waldman added.

Crowdfunding

In November 2020, Art Fund offered limited edition artworks to members of the public who donated to help coronavirus-struck museums. Works were provided by artists including Lubaina Himid, David Shrigley, Michael Landy and Sir Anish Kapoor, the sculptor who created the ArcelorMittal Orbit structure for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Now the charity is renewing its appeal for donations through a crowdfunding campaign called ‘Together for Museums’.

Items on offer include works from artists Cornelia Parker, Jeremy Deller and Howard Hodgkin.

“The Art Fund campaign gives us an opportunity to help museums to continue to provide access to all in spite of the difficulties of this time,” said Kapoor.

New grants

The Art Fund has also announced a further £750,000 in (€854,000, US$1.03m) new grants to support 23 museums throughout the pandemic. The new funding brings the charity’s total spend up to £2.25m (US$3.1m, €2.6m), covering just a small percentage of the applications received, which total £16m (US$22.1m, €18.2m).

Grant recipients include the Portland Museum in Dorset, which is planning to create a digital version of Rufus Castle, and the Barber Institute of Fine Arts in Birmingham, which is putting the money towards a health and wellbeing project.


London’s Florence Nightingale Museum was forced to close due to the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic - Credit: Florence Nightingale Museum