Enjoy this article?
Most Museums Journal content is only available to members. Join the MA to get full access to the latest thinking and trends from across the sector, case studies and best practice advice.
Editorial | Support in difficult times
Museums can play an active part in the government's agenda
The past few months has been an odd period, combining reasons for optimism with depressing developments that feel like we are going backwards as a society.
At the time of writing this, communities across the UK are still dealing with the fallout from attacks by far-right thugs. This followed the attack in Southport on 29 July, which left three children dead.
Museums have been among the civic organisations supporting people by trying to bring communities together and spreading messages of hope and unity.
Liverpool, which is near Southport, was one of the cities affected by far-right rioting. The director of National Museums Liverpool, Laura Pye, responded with a particularly clear message.
“[The Southport attack] was an attack on society, irrespective of faith or race, yet a minority of far-right thugs have hijacked this tragedy to incite hate and division,” Pye said. “Let’s be clear, this isn’t protest or freedom of speech, it’s racism and it should have no place in our society.”
The depressing events in towns and cities were in contrast to the positivity that has come with a new government that has been energetically getting on with the business of governing following the 4 July election. The economic outlook might still look bleak, but at least the government is offering some prospect of positive change.
Advertisement
In her first national address to industry leaders, culture secretary Lisa Nandy, speaking at the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester, said that drive, creativity, inclusion and a willingness to do things differently would be “the spirit of our new government”.
Nandy acknowledged the “neglect” of cultural institutions in recent years and instead pledged to “take the brakes off” the cultural and creative industries.
She said: “When we turn to face the nation again in five years’ time, it is our ambition that we will face a self-confident country, at ease with itself, where all of our people see themselves in the story we tell ourselves about ourselves as a nation – their contribution seen and valued.”
With many communities currently scared and divided, this would be
a huge achievement, and one that museums can play an active part in making happen.