Brexit threatens to reduce museum collections says head of Victoria and Albert
– Dr Tristram Hunt, director of the V&A
Britain’s exit from the EU poses a major threat to the future of museum collections, according to the director of the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A).
Dr Tristram Hunt became director of the V&A in January, replacing Martin Roth, who resigned from his position in September 2016 partly due to his disillusionment at the Brexit vote. Roth died in August this year.
Speaking yesterday at the National Conference of Visitor Attractions (VAC 2017), Hunt voiced his own concerns for the future success of museums, galleries and other tourist attractions in the UK.
The former Labour MP and shadow education secretary said: “For the V&A and other museums the impact of our exit from the EU could have a profound effect on the lending and borrowing of our collections, potentially jeopardising our ability to function as world-class exhibition venues, reducing our capacity to share our collections with others and limiting the formation of constructive cultured partnerships.”
The V&A’s loans-out programme currently sees the largest number of objects travelling to EU countries and during the past year, 51% of loans to temporary exhibitions were to venues inside the EU and European Economic Area.
The V&A relies heavily on loans in from EU countries for its own temporary exhibitions. Under current EU regulations these objects are transported in free circulation and no import duty or tax is applicable.
Hunt said: “Exit from the Customs Union and the introduction of a system of customs clearance could result in import duties and VAT, increased transit fees and significant delays to both documentation and transit times.
“Acquisition by gift or purchase are also likely to incur similar budget impacted taxes. These increased costs and levels of bureaucracy are very real risks for UK museums and galleries that could severely restrict our ability to maintain the level of lending, borrowing and acquiring artefacts previously enjoyed by the UK public and our international visitors.”
The movement of people was also a major concern for the sector, he said, either through loss of staff or lengthy, costly visa processes. He called for people in the industry to project a “creative, confident and cosmopolitan” United Kingdom.
“Continued investment in the institutions and vehicles that export British soft power will only become more vital as the Brexit process continues,” Hunt said. “Britain’s incredible visitor attractions are one of the UK’s major assets and a vital contribution to our soft power. The industry’s ability to reinvent itself and leverage its unique, historical and contemporary relevance has helped it appeal to visitors from across the globe. We need to ensure the UK remains an open accessible destination.”
In his new role, Hunt has overseen a number of big events including The Pink Floyd Exhibition: Their Mortal Remains. Since the opening of Exhibition Road Quarter in June the V&A has had its largest ever visitor numbers for July and August, and the museum has been named TripAdvisor Museum of the Year.
V&A Victoria and Albert Tristram Hunt Brexit Martin RothFormer V&A director Martin Roth dies aged 62
V&A introduces secondary school DesignLab education scheme
Labour MP Tristram Hunt named new director of London's V&A Museum
Brexit disillusionment hastens V&A director resignation
BIG unveils Eve Music Hall as Croatia venue nears completion
Bob Rogers hands BRC to long-serving leadership team
Wellness care hospital opens in Vilnius with innovative spa and hospitality concept
Universal and Puy du Fou projects point to rise of Oxford–Cambridge corridor
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’ planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford–Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism investment.
For years, the corridor has been associated primarily with science, technology, housing and university-led economic growth. However, the clustering of large-scale visitor attraction projects along the
All-inclusive eco-wellness development Auko to open near Vietnam’s Son Doong caves
Shedd Aquarium upgrades its visitor experience with new Immersion Theater
Shedd Aquarium has opened the Immersion Theater developed in partnership with SimEx-Iwerks, as part of a wider strategy to enhance the guest experience and create additional revenue opportunities.
The attraction has transformed the aquarium’s Phelps Auditorium into a multi-sensory venue combining panoramic projection, environmental effects and interactive technology.
A new pre-show area allows visitors to engage with augmented reality marine animals before entering the
Mandarin Oriental announces standalone Mansions-branded residences for Abu Dhabi
MCR is planning a luxury hotel for London's BT Tower
Joy as a radical act: Yinka Ilori launches solo exhibition celebrating the rebellious power of spreading happiness
Work gets underway on Madrid's €800 million leisure complex
Work is underway in Madrid on one of Europe’s most significant multi-functional complexes, combining sport, entertainment, culture and education.
The €800 million initiative to regenerate the former Olympic Aquatic Centre in the north-east of the city, next to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium, is being led by Barsento – a joint venture between Live Nation Entertainment, Oak View Group and Atlético de Madrid. The project will
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Four Seasons’ Naples Beach Club opens 2,800sq m Sanctuary spa inspired by indigenous Calusa people
Orient Express Corinthian to host Ocean Rebirth wellness retreat in collaboration with Guerlain
Famed London nightclub, Tramp, launches Tramp Health
First look: Miraval opens on the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia
Hainan Science Museum by Ma Yansong, opens in China
A new science museum has opened to the public in Haikou after attracting more than 350,000 visitors during a four-month soft opening period.
Designed by Ma Yansong and his practice MAD Architects, the Hainan Science Museum is located on the edge of Wuyuan River National Wetland Park and has already recorded peak attendance of more than 5,800 visitors in a single day.
Commissioned by
Zannier Île De Bendor launches with design by Hardel Le Bihan Architectes
Sæl Spa readies for launch in London: “a modern British sanctuary”
Immersive art bathhouse Submersive announces debut location in Austin
Construction begins on regenerative wellness destination The Shenandoah Nature Resort
Royal Caribbean reveals record-breaking cruise ship
V&A East opens in London
David Geffen galleries open at LACMA
New venue The Lands by Capella includes a longevity centre to complement sister hotel Capella Sydney
World of Frozen launches at Disneyland Paris
Pical Resort by Valamar reveals first Croatian spa under the ESPA brand
Mandarin Oriental creates end-to-end Egyptian journey with two new hotels and first-ever luxury river cruise
Designers Mendil + Meyer launch new division called Lām Concepts for strategic wellness projects
Wilderness Bisate in Rwanda reveals brand’s second Sanctuary spa
4a Architekten shares details of wellness extension at Salinarium Bad Dürkheim Thermal Spa
Designed to restore neglected land and renew the identity of Iraq’s capital city, Baghdad Sustainable Forests promises a new way of living surrounded by nature. Gensler’s Ian Mulcahay tells us why he thinks the project could become a model for the repair and enhancement of urban centres
