WIREDGOV

The FDA represents staff working in museums and galleries across the UK. In response to the government’s announcement of a £1.57 billion rescue package to support Britain’s world-class cultural, arts and heritage institutions, FDA Assistant General Secretary Amy Leversidge yesterday  said:

“The FDA welcomes this much needed boost at a time when our cultural institutions have lost huge chunks of income. We look forward to working with institutions on the detail of the package, including how it will be distributed in each of the four nations.

“However, the scale of self-generated income lost by institutions in in the wake of COVID-19 highlights the failure of the government’s current funding models. Across the UK, we have seen direct government funding for our museums and galleries slashed over the last decade and longer, and they simply cannot continue to provide first class experiences with minimal investment.

“The institutions that have been hit hardest by COVID-19 are those that have been able to generate a higher proportion of their income through visitor attractions and have been less reliant on government funding. It is impossible to judge just how quickly these institutions’ revenues will recover and the FDA strongly believes direct support for museums and galleries through grant-in-aid funding must be increased substantially.

“The government must be prepared to invest whatever is needed to safeguard our museums and galleries, protect the national treasures that they hold and ensure the British public continues to have access to its cultural heritage.”