As museums and galleries prepare to welcome back visitors, new research suggests more than half of institutions are worried about their long-term survival.
On Monday, museums and galleries in England and Wales will welcome back visitors for the first time in months.
However, research by charity Art Fund suggests 55% of museums and galleries remain concerned about their ability to stay open.
British Museum (Tim Ireland/PA)
The survey also revealed that only 24% said they were not very concerned abut their ongoing survival, while 4% were not concerned at all.
A total of 316 museum and gallery directors were surveyed as part of the research.
Art lovers said they hoped the reopening of galleries would “lift everyone’s spirits” as museums welcomed back guests for the first time in months.
Visitors queued outside the National Gallery in central London, where Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden was among the first guests.
Oliver Dowden (left) at the National Gallery in London (Stefan Rousseau/PA)
Lois Brooks, 71, who is retired, travelled from her home in Ispwich to visit the gallery in the capital.
She described the latest easing of coronavirus restrictions as “exciting” and added: “I have missed doing this and I think it’s going to be really great.”
Art lovers said they hoped the reopening of galleries would “lift everyone’s spirits” as museums welcomed back guests for the first time in months.
Visitors queued outside the National Gallery in central London, where Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden was among the first guests.
Oliver Dowden (left) at the National Gallery in London (Stefan Rousseau/PA)
Lois Brooks, 71, who is retired, travelled from her home in Ispwich to visit the gallery in the capital.
She described the latest easing of coronavirus restrictions as “exciting” and added: “I have missed doing this and I think it’s going to be really great.”