London museums are being urged to bring more of their collections out of storage and on public display, as funding cuts loom and storage costs reach millions. Many of the capital's museums keep over 90% of their collections hidden from view.
A BBC Freedom of Information request revealed that the British Museum spent £86,280 on storage in 2009 and 2010 for 99% of its collection. The Natural History Museum spent £45,928 on storing 95% of its specimens, while the Tate expects to spend £465,500 by the end of the financial year. The National Maritime Museum spent £142,361 in 2010 for 93% of its paintings and prints.
The Museums Association says the economic climate should not prevent venues from offering more to the public. Sally Cross of the Association said: 'With budget cuts it's harder to put on temporary exhibitions, but I hope museums can use their stored collections to fill those gaps.'
The British Museum stated that preservation for future generations is a key purpose, making storage safety paramount. Angela Doane of the National Maritime Museum noted that many items are too fragile for permanent display but are available for temporary exhibitions and by appointment.
Despite the 15% government funding cut to national museums, some institutions are improving access. The National Maritime Museum is soon to open a new library and archive facility, tripling the amount of material available to the public.
