Credit Crunch affects Museum plans
A while ago there were all these grand plans to create a Museum of 'Britishness' which would, naturally, celebrate the wonder that is the history of the British Isles. It always made me wonder what grand narrative they would come up with for that one but sadly we might not ever find out. For, unlike the purchase of the Titian painting, the credit crunch appears to have a negative effect on the plans for a British Museum, sorry Museum of Britain, and instead it will be a much more modest affair.
From the press release:
Roy Clare, MLA Chief Executive said: “The idea for a Museum Centre for British History presents a very exciting opportunity at an affordable price. Our consultation has brought us to a conclusion that the most stimulating and cost-effective way of meeting the objective for a museum that interprets Britain’s story would be to develop innovative access to the fantastic collections held in existing museums, heritage sites, libraries and archives across Britain. Many of these are publicly-funded and can work together under scholarly leadership to present Britain’s history in many places."
“The Museum Centre for British History would be a national federated organisation (including museums, universities, scholars, research institutions etc), supported by a very small staff working in existing premises, that would pull together research, planning and programming around the theme of Britain’s story.”
So, in other words, it will be an attempt to co-ordinate more centrally what is already happening across the country *grin*. Read the press release here which goes into more detail and suggests that a Museum still might be viable in the future.
From the press release:
Roy Clare, MLA Chief Executive said: “The idea for a Museum Centre for British History presents a very exciting opportunity at an affordable price. Our consultation has brought us to a conclusion that the most stimulating and cost-effective way of meeting the objective for a museum that interprets Britain’s story would be to develop innovative access to the fantastic collections held in existing museums, heritage sites, libraries and archives across Britain. Many of these are publicly-funded and can work together under scholarly leadership to present Britain’s history in many places."
“The Museum Centre for British History would be a national federated organisation (including museums, universities, scholars, research institutions etc), supported by a very small staff working in existing premises, that would pull together research, planning and programming around the theme of Britain’s story.”
So, in other words, it will be an attempt to co-ordinate more centrally what is already happening across the country *grin*. Read the press release here which goes into more detail and suggests that a Museum still might be viable in the future.
Comments
Elli
Thanks for answering. I have to agree that the generation that felt truly "British" is probably retired already. On the other hand, as you were saying, the concept of Britishness in the twenty-first century as an exhibition doesn't sound as bad. Let's see what will come out of this.. Take care,
Elli