Plans to sell off parts of the British Council's art collection have sparked alarm about the future of UK public art. The potential sale highlights a broader crisis facing local authority-funded museums, many of which are struggling with severe underfunding and are being pressured to dispose of their art collections.
Plans are being considered to put on sale 9,000 works owned collectively by the public, placing a vital cultural asset in jeopardy as the French government announces plans for the major renovation of the Louvre. France is immensely proud of its national collection. The Louvre “renaissance” will cost an estimated €700-800m (£583-£666m). The Centre Pompidou, housing an extensive modern and contemporary art collection, will cost €262m.
Accommodating more visitors and ensuring everyone can see the treasures of the collections is important to these French institutions and their funders. I wish there was such good news on this side of the Channel. Recent reports that the British Council has been contemplating selling its art collection have shocked us all. The British Council holds works from artists including Henry Moore, Tracey Emin, Lucian Freud and David Hockney, and shows them globally. It is our public face to the world. Yet chief executive Scott McDonald has said that due to financial constraints, unless there is a major intervention, the Council will have to axe hundreds of staff, withdraw its presence in up to 40 countries and sell off its art collection. Half of the 9,000-item collection is protected by agreements made with artists who donated work on condition that it would never be sold. But the rest have no such restrictions. McDonald has said he offered the collection to the government in exchange for writing off the loan, but to no avail. As we wait for a resolution, the government may soon be faced with an even bigger challenge. The UK’s art collection is held not only in the great national museums in London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast, but in the network of local authority-funded museums, centres of civic pride. But there is a serious local authority funding crisis: many years of underfunding from government and the growing strain on their statutory services means that local authorities have precious little left over to fund cultural provision for their communities. As a result, they are being encouraged to look at their art collections as disposable assets. Selling off the “family silver” is not the solution. Everyone, everywhere in the UK, shares ownership of our public collections and we all have the right to enjoy them. They are precious assets for future generations; local authorities are the custodians of our public collections, but the owners and beneficiaries are the public. Any sell-off of the British Council’s artworks would open the floodgates for cash-strapped local authorities to have similar conversations. The precedent that would be set if the British Council sells even a few high-value paintings would be extraordinary – a government body set up to champion, collect and share British culture with the world decides it is OK to sell the most valuable works in its care in order to plug a financial hole. The Art Fund was created in 1903 by a group of artists and philanthropists, prompted by inadequate government funding for museums. It has helped the UK’s museums build world-beating collections, for all to enjoy. It has also been at the forefront of ensuring everyone has the opportunity to visit public collections, successfully campaigning for free access to national museums, and creating the National Museum of Scotland. If we lose our great collections for short-term gain we will never be able to get them back. Our national collections are the true wealth of the nation, a public benefit which everyone can value and share
ART FUND BRITISH COUNCIL CULTURAL HERITAGE GOVERNMENT FUNDING LOCAL MUSEUMS PUBLIC COLLECTIONS UK ART
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Street Food: A Delicious Passport to Culture and CommunityThis article explores the power of street food as a cultural touchstone, connecting people through shared meals and fostering understanding. It examines the stories of chefs like AK Ramakrishna who celebrate their heritage through authentic cuisine, and the work of organizations like Taste Tours that use food to bridge cultural divides. However, the article also cautions against the potential pitfalls of cultural tourism, highlighting the risk of gentrification and the importance of responsible engagement with diverse communities.
Read more »
Untapped Project Brings Australian Literary Heritage Back to LifeThe Untapped project, a three-year initiative, has rescued over 160 out-of-print books by notable Australian authors, including six Miles Franklin winners, and made them available as ebooks for the first time. The project aimed to address the issue of disappearing literary heritage and generate additional income for authors.
Read more »
Man Accused of Arson at Heritage Racecourse Remains in CustodyA man facing nine charges, including arson, is accused of setting fire to a heritage-listed grandstand at a Melbourne racecourse, causing millions of dollars in damage and disrupting racing fixtures. He remains in custody awaiting further court appearances.
Read more »
Man Charged With Arson After Heritage Grandstand BlazeA 51-year-old man, Travis Bird, has been remanded in custody after allegedly starting a fire that significantly damaged a heritage-listed grandstand at Caulfield Racecourse in Melbourne's south-east. Bird faces nine charges, including arson, trespass, and burglary, related to the grandstand fire, as well as separate incidents involving a Jewish community center and several grassfires. His lawyer requested mental health monitoring due to Bird's overdue schizophrenia medication.
Read more »
Longchamp and Coach: The Unexpected Appeal of Heritage Luxury for Gen ZSimple, timeless handbags from established luxury brands like Longchamp and Coach are gaining popularity among Gen Z, transcending generational boundaries and offering a stylish entry point into the world of designer accessories.
Read more »
Moon placed on World Monument Fund list of heritage sites in need of protectionWith a number of commercial missions heading to the Moon this year, heritage organisations are concerned about potential damage to historic sites.
Read more »