1. All Party Arts and Heritage Group Presentation by Mark Jones Chair, National Museum Directors’ Conference and Director, Victoria and Albert Museum 16 May 2007

2. Who we are 26 members – national museums, galleries, libraries and archives 83 separate sites in 52 Parliamentary constituencies UK- wide Our purpose –Represent the interests of national museums to government and other stakeholders –Play a key role in the development of the work of its members and their contribution to society and the economy –Discuss and present views on other matters of common interest to its members

3. Some facts and figures 35m visits in 2005-6 – an increase of over 10m visits since 1998-9 Over seven million child visits in 2005-6 – an increase of 22% since 2000 43% of all adults attended a museum or gallery at least once during the past twelve months 27% increase in number of visitors from lower socio- economic groups since 1998/9 Over 100m unique web visits in 2005-6 14% of adults in England visited a museum/gallery website in the past 12 months

4. The role of museums and galleries Museums and galleries play an increasingly diverse and important role in our society, including: –Community values and culture –Education –Tourism –Cultural diplomacy –Knowledge transfer –Regeneration

5. Regional partnerships Growing importance both to regional/local and national museums In 2004/5 national museums lent to 2,939 venues across the UK V&A tours up to 15 exhibitions a year to 15 venues British Museum has 15 long-term partners across UK The Museums Libraries and Archives Council’s Renaissance in the Regions programme – fully supported by NMDC – is contributing to the increase in collaborative activity

6. Challenges Increase in visitor numbers and running costs versus standstill grant-in-aid Increases in fixed costs above inflation One third of the public space in need of significant refurbishment or renewal Funding for acquisitions reducing while prices have risen dramatically Tight spending review

7. Priorities for investment The NMDC has identified a number of key priorities for medium-term investment –Structural maintenance of old/listed buildings –Modernising public spaces to meet enhanced expectations –Improving energy efficiency (front of house, storage and back office areas) –Digitising collections information –Support partnerships through increasing collections care, skills development.

8. Olympics We recognise that the Olympic Games will bring important opportunities for museums and culture: –visitors to London will increase during the Games and many of them will visit our national museums –global interest in London and the UK will also grow, raising the ‘brand’ profile abroad –the ‘Cultural Olympiad’ is an opportunity to showcase the very best of the British cultural sector, and provide a lasting legacy for our cultural sector, in terms of participation and collaboration, locally, nationally and internationally. –infrastructure investments for the Games could have long term benefits for museums and audiences.

9. Conclusion Museums deliver value for money: the last 10 years’ investment has successfully produced results for government and for the people Sustained and more generous investment in museums over the next 10 years will deliver significantly more of the government’s desired outcomes; this applies to the government’s overall goals for Britain at home for local communities and internationally We appreciate the support that the All Part Group gives to the national museum sector and hope that it will continue to take an interest in our work.