New survey data suggests that while museums and galleries are welcoming more visitors than in years previous, rising costs make operations more difficult
Museums and galleries in Scotland are seeing an increase in visitors while their finances become increasingly unstable, suggests a new report.
A total of 114 organisations in Scotland submitted feedback for the study, carried out on behalf of Museums Galleries Scotland, which asked about staffing levels, reserves, income, expenditure, volunteers, visitor type, climate, social impact, and education.
When asked about recent changes to total expenditure levels, almost two-thirds of respondents reported that they have seen an increase. The proportion of museum organisations reporting more than 12 months reserves has fallen from 43% to 36%, while the proportion reporting reserves of less than 4 months has risen from 24% to 28%.
In the ‘2024 Survey of Scotland’s Museums and Galleries’ report, an increasing percentage of respondents say they feel their organisation is at risk of closure in the next 12 months. In a similar 2022 report it was 10%, which has risen to 11% this year.
More positively, Museum Galleries Scotland said progress has been made around fundraising strategies, with 63% of respondents reporting that they do have a fundraising plan/strategy for their museum, compared to 42% in 2022.
Visits to museums in Scotland numbered 15.4 million, higher than the 5.2 million reported in 2021-22 and higher than the 12.8 million reported in the pre-Covid period of 2019-20.
There has also been a shift in types of visitors, with a drop in local visitors (21%, down from 28%) and a rise in international visitors (42%, up from 34%).
Museums Galleries Scotland said the described the financial situation as “more fragile than ever”.
Its CEO Lucy Casot said: “This report shows the state of Scotland’s museums and galleries, underlining their importance to our economy, our health and wellbeing and our education. Despite the increase in visitor numbers, we still have an extremely vulnerable sector.
“Cost pressures and funding cuts mean our museums and galleries are looking less financially resilient, with a number at risk of closure. Such shutdowns would pose serious questions for the future of nationally important collections which are held around the country for the benefit of the people of Scotland. Closures also risk local cultural and visitor ecosystems, as the loss of one asset often has a knock-on effect throughout the community.
“Museums and galleries are continuing to deliver the very best for local communities but without investment these positive impacts cannot be sustained. Most are at a disadvantage as they can’t access capital funding and are limited in access to grant funding. Strategic public funding at local and national level is urgently required to help the sector transform and ensure culture and heritage are accessible for everyone.”
