Saving art for the nation

A review looking into how Government can support regional and national Museums more effectively was launched today by Chief Secretary to the Treasury Paul Boateng. The review aims to help museums and galleries acquire important works of art that might otherwise be sold abroad.

A consultation paper “Saving Art for the Nation” published today examines the existing taxation and funding arrangements which affect the ability of museums and galleries to acquire and display works of art and culture. The findings of the consultation will contribute to the review.

The Chief Secretary has asked Sir Nicholas Goodison who was until recently Chairman of the National Art Collections fund, to lead the review.

Paul Boateng said:

“The Government recognises the importance of ensuring that important works of art stay in the country so that we can all enjoy and learn from them. We already work closely with the arts world to ensure that where possible museums and galleries are able to display precious works of art. The review aims to ensure that the support on offer is practical, well-targeted and value for money.”

Estelle Morris, Minister for the Arts, supporting the review said:

“I welcome the launch of this review of support for acquisitions. DCMS is working to make progress and is looking forward to finding some practical solutions to prevent the loss of cultural objects that are important to this country.”

Sir Nicholas Goodison, said:
“Acquisitions refresh and enrich the public collections, which are a crucial part of our cultural life. I greatly welcome the Government’s wish to look at these subjects. I look forward to hearing everyone’s views.”

Notes for editors

1. This review was announced in the 2003 Budget. Consultation responses are invited by 1 October 2003.

2. The Chief Secretary to the Treasury, the Minister for the Arts, and Sir Nicholas Goodison have today met members of an advisory group for the review. This group will meet during the course of the review to contribute their views to the wider consultation exercise.

3. The members of the advisory group are:

Sir Jack Baer
Anthony Browne, British Art Market Federation
Sir Timothy Clifford, National Galleries of Scotland
Sir Martin Harris, University of Manchester
Professor Jack Lohman, Museum of London
Neil MacGregor, British Museum
Sir Christopher Ondaatje
Lord Puttnam of Queensgate
Sir Nicholas Serota, Tate
Edmund Southworth, Lancashire County Museums Service
Sue Underwood, North East Museums, Libraries and Archives
Council
Merlin Waterson, The National Trust
Richard Wilkin, The Historic Houses Association

4. Saving Art for the Nation consultation is available via the Treasury website.

5. A summary of the existing funding, taxation and export regulation arrangements which affect the ability of museums to acquire works of art and culture is included in the consultation document.

6. Sir Nicholas Goodison, leading the review, was Chairman of the National Art Collections Fund (1984 – 2002), and Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Courtauld Institute of Art (1982–2002). He was a Director of English National Opera (1977-1998), and a Trustee of the National Heritage Memorial Fund (1988 – 1997). He is currently Chairman of the Crafts Council and of the Burlington Magazine, President of the Furniture History Society, Honorary Keeper of the Furniture at the Fitzwilliam Museum and a Trustee of Harewood House. He was Chairman of the Stock Exchange 1976–88, and of the TSB Group 1989–95. He was Deputy Chairman of Lloyds TSB Group 1995–2000. He has written two books and many papers on the history of English furniture, metalwork and clocks.

7. The Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is responsible for protecting cultural objects of outstanding quality for the whole nation, advising the museums and galleries sector on a wide range of policy issues, and providing support and sponsorship to 22 Museums and Galleries. Further information about these, and the Department’s other roles is available from the DCMS website.

8. Media enquiries about the review and consultation should be directed to HM Treasury press office, tel. 0207 270 5238

Terms of reference of the review

Objective

To review the effectiveness and efficiency of support to regional and national museums and galleries to help them acquire works of art and culture of distinction that might otherwise be sold abroad, and to make those items accessible to the public.
Scope

The review will take into account the views of stakeholders by means of public consultation and through meetings with key stakeholders.

The review will assess:

The impact and effectiveness of current support

Tax measures relating to cultural property
Public expenditure contributing to museum acquisitions
Lottery funding
Non-governmental sources of funding

Ideas for changing this support or new types of support.

In making this assessment, the review will include the following considerations

Public accessibility

Public accessibility through regional and national museums and galleries in the United Kingdom.

Types of transaction

Purchase
Loan
Donation
Collection sharing

Potential donors and vendors

Companies
Charities
Individuals in their lifetime
Executors and Beneficiaries of death estates
Public Bodies

Solutions that cause least distortion to the art market

The review will consider taxation arrangements that affect the whole of the United Kingdom, however the funding arrangements under consideration relate to England and Wales only.

Conduct of the review

The review will be lead by Sir Nicholas Goodison, reporting to the Chief Secretary. The Chief Secretary will be supported by the Minister for the Arts.

Timetable

Responses to the consultation are invited by 1 October 2003.