Attitudes towards local museums
Across the country there are stark examples of the cultural philistinism of local councils. It seems as though we are forgetting the traditional cultural purpose of local government. Decisions seem financially driven, with little popular consultation, leaving local people outraged.
According to a recent Demos report, the trend is likely to continue. The report’s author, John Holden claims that cultural provision is patchy but because 'of the way that culture is treated - legislatively, financially and philosophically - at local authority level, the situation is likely to get worse unless we do something about it'.
What can be done – is it time for a proper assessment and a debate about reform? Do we need to consider making culture a statutory spending requirement?
There are currently several high profile cases attracting press interest:
Cuts made by Waltham Forest Council will mean a reduction in the opening times of William Morris Gallery, staff restructuring and a fear that the loss of specialist curators will put the manuscript collections and decorative art stock off limits. But given that the council needs to make savings of £56,000 what are the alternatives?
In February it was announced that financial pressures on local government would force the closure of Wandsworth Museum. But now Wandsworth Council is joining forces with the Hintze Family Charitable Foundation, a major international sponsor of the arts, to establish a brand new plan for Wandsworth Museum at the heart of the local community.
The proposal will involve the setting up of an independent trust to manage the museum. Are such arrangements the way forward?
Let us know your views…
Topic posted: 24 April 2007.
I am not sure if spending on culture should be made a statutory requirement of local authorities. However local people with the help of local press/media could require local Councilors to say what cultural spend they plan. The local media could also determine the extent of local concern for local museums to be supported by the Council. Local media can also encourage local businesses to provide finacial support in the same way that large companies sponsor exhibitions at major national museums etc.
Comment posted by: sapiens. (4th June 2007).
i live in waltham forest and am very concerned with regard to the william morris gallery. sadly without appearing to be racist as we have a majority of asian councellors they have a different cultural and do not have an interest in the gallery
Comment posted by: LARRY. (5th June 2007).
With regard to Waltham Forest, the alleged £56,000 shortfall is a feeble excuse for sacking a respected curator and effectively ending the William Morris Museum as a centre of serious study. On the issue of local museums, a government which continually boasts of its "free entry" policy to museums needs to tell the Tate (St Ives) and the National Maritime Museum (Falmouth) about it.
Comment posted by: TerryF. (18th June 2007).
As a resident of Walthamstow, where the council has heard the word 'culture' and reached for its gun. The council sees anything 'cultural' as a liability, not an asset. They see it only in terms of costs -- they ignore possible sources and even offers of outside funding. Far from trying to maximise income from attractions such as the William Morris gallery, for example by publicising it, they obviously resent outsiders visiting. All the council's comments on the subject are in terms of reducing costs to the local people who pay for these things through council tax! Waltham Forest council has cut funds not just to the William Morris gallery but also to the town's only other publicly funded museum, Vestry House, and to local libraries, one of which has been closed. It is also closing the borough's only remaining theatre, and plans to demolish the Changing Rooms gallery where local artists show their work. The council has also sold off well-used public buildings where local arts and hobby groups used to meet. To be scrupulously fair, it's not just about culture -- the council is also planning to close this Olympic borough's only full-size swimming pool, and has just donated a plot of land, intended for use as a sports field, to the Muslim Burial Trust as a cemetery. Many other local services and facilities have also been cut this year, including the borough's remaining public lavatories. But anything cultural is particularly disliked. Just one area is never stinted. There was plenty of money for the councillors to give themselves a £230,000 pay rise the this year. And "WFM", which used to be a useful monthly information magazine delivered free to all residents, is now an outrageous fortnightly propaganda sheet extolling the council's supposed achievements.
Comment posted by: Janet Wright. (19th June 2007).
Local Council's often miss a trick - what a perfect place to include and celebrate diversity. (This doesn't mean a once yearly 'Black History Week' this means permanent representation of our wonderful diverse communities). What a perfect place to make people welcome and part of a community. Council's should be promoting diverse activities for a rich cultural mix, old and young alike. Collections should reflect more recent history. Local museums are often under funded, undervalued and under used, this falls to the responsibility of the local Council - and if they do not understand this opportunity then it higher powers that be should step into advice and educate them. I live in Waltham Forest where our Council has been underinvesting both time, money and resources in our museums for years. They are now scratching their heads when faced with the lack of visitors and have decided it better to offer a part time service to local people. What a lack of foresight and understanding. What a precendent to set... What message does this send out? What a wasted opportunity!
Comment posted by: may_hall. (25th July 2007).
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