The Art Fund recently undertook research into the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on the cultural sector. The Covid-19 Impact report identified four key areas of need: the future of collections and exhibitions, digital skills and infrastructure, reopening and encouraging audiences back, and supporting a passionate and skilled workforce.
The report argues that although support for collections might not rise to the top of the list of concerns for museums and galleries at present, support for conservation and collections research will be needed in the near future, particularly as the focus shifts to collections rather than toured-in shows. The research showed that 56% of museum directors are worried about the viability of their organisations, which is likely to put collections at risk due to the severe financial impact of the Coronavirus crisis on many organisations.
In response, the Art Fund launched a newly adapted funding programme to make more than £2m available in support through grants and strategic partnerships to support re-opening and recovery. The ‘Respond and Reimagine Grants’ will be led by the needs of museums to meet immediate requirements in priority areas. This will include opportunities for organisations who need support with conservation or collections care to apply for funding for example for collections care audits and post lockdown assessments.
Icon is also supporting museums and organisations as sites begin to reopen. Icon has collated a library of technical guidance to help institutions care for their collections during and after the pandemic, including comprehensive guidance on collections care in lockdown and ‘waking up’ collections post-lockdown.
Find out more about Art Fund’s revised funding programmes for museums, galleries and arts professionals here.
Access Icon’s Coronavirus Collections Care hub here.
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Photo by Anthony Gucciardi on Unsplash
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