A Museums Association (MA) survey to assess the potential impact of cuts to Renaissance in the Regions has found that collections care and access will suffer if the programme is axed.
Museums warned that a 25 per cent decrease in funding would mean fewer loans, fewer temporary exhibitions, exhibits banished to the storeroom and tired, unchanging displays.
The research also indicated that almost half of museums facing such cuts would consider introducing or increasing charges, which would further restrict public access to collections.
Since it began in 2002, the Renaissance programme has raised the standards, services and profile of regional museums, leading to visitor increases of well over 40 per cent.
Respondents acknowledged the legacy that Renaissance would leave behind, but expressed fears that without ongoing funding, this progress would erode quickly.
Mark Taylor director of the Museums Association said: “Renaissance funding has transformed England’s great regional museums but now I fear a return to the pitiful days of collections stuck unused and deteriorating in basement stores.
“Regional museums will lend and borrow fewer things, making it far harder for people to see nationally important treasures near to where they live.”
To read the article in full, visit the Museums Association website.
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