Public backs using tourist levy to keep national museums free for all
Ahead of the 25th anniversary of the landmark free national museum entry policy established in 2001, new polling commissioned by Art Fund shows strong public support for protecting free admission for everyone.
The findings come as the museum sector weighs up how to tackle the mounting financial pressures facing national museums, with proposed solutions including charging tourists at the door or raising funds through a tourist tax. Our research shows that most Britons back using a tourist levy to fund museums, rather than entrance fees.
Nearly three quarters (72%) say that some revenue from a potential tourist tax should be used to help keep national museums free to enter for all, and three in four (76%) say the government should maintain or increase funding for national museums.
The UK's free admission policy, which made the permanent collections at DCMS-funded national museums free for everyone, came into effect on 1 December 2001 and has been an overwhelming success – transforming access to the nation’s collections, driving tourism, and ensuring that everyone can benefit from world-class museums.
The policy led to a dramatic and sustained increase in visits. Within the first decade, visits to formerly charging museums rose by 151%, with increases of more than 180% at the Natural History Museum and V&A, and 269% at National Museums Liverpool.
Our free national museums are one of the great success stories of UK cultural policy – opening up world-class collections to everyone, driving tourism, and enriching millions of lives every year. But they need additional funding in the face of rising costs and declining grant-in-aid.
It is striking that the public does not want museums to start charging tourists but supports using a tourist levy. A levy, with some funds ringfenced, is a simpler way to deliver funding to keep the national museums free for everyone and ensure they continue to make the UK such a vibrant tourist destination.
Charging tourists at the door risks putting up barriers for everyone.
Today, visiting the free national museums is part of everyday life for millions of people. Our research shows that two in five Britons visit a national museum at least once a year. Four of the five most-visited attractions in the UK are national museums.
Charging tourists at the door would require everyone to show ID and introduce a barrier to entry for UK citizens, particularly those struggling financially. Only 49% of those who struggle to make ends meet always carry ID.
Following on from this research, we will be sharing more about the 25th anniversary of free admission later this year.