Millions of people across England will continue to enjoy their local museums thanks to a new £20 million government investment.
The funding, part of the government’s ongoing commitment to supporting culture at a local level, will help protect opening hours, safeguard jobs, and ensure that museums can keep telling the stories that shape our national identity.
Supporting museums at the heart of communities
Seventy-five civic museums across England — including Birmingham Museums Trust, Barnsley Museums, and Discover Bucks Museum — will receive grants through the Museum Renewal Fund. The funding will help improve public access to collections, support educational and community programmes, and make sure these cherished institutions are equipped for the future.
By strengthening this nationwide network of museums, the government aims to keep culture accessible to everyone, wherever they live. The investment will not only preserve local pride and heritage but also boost tourism and regional economies by attracting more visitors and employers to local areas.
Part of the wider “Arts Everywhere” commitment
The Museum Renewal Fund forms part of the £270 million Arts Everywhere Fund, launched earlier this year by the Culture Secretary under the Plan for Change. The initiative supports economic growth and expands access to cultural opportunities across the country.
“Museums bring our shared history to life”
Museums Minister, Baroness Twycross said: “Museums offer a place where people from all backgrounds can learn, be inspired and delve into our rich history, helping to understand the stories that led us to where we are today.
The Museum Renewal Fund is contributing to the delivery of our Plan for Change. It ensures much-loved civic museums can remain open and continue to provide opportunities for future generations to learn about our shared heritage and how their local community has played its part in our national story”.
Real impact on the ground
Baroness Twycross visited The Culture Trust Luton this week to see the difference the fund is already making. The Trust has been awarded £530,528, which will help maintain staffing levels, expand community outreach, and improve public access to its collections.
The investment will allow the Trust to co-create new content with local communities and continue offering education and volunteer programmes that benefit Luton’s diverse residents. Photo by Mx. Granger, Wikimedia commons.