London’s Charles Dickens Museum is one of many who fear closure as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. The collection, housed in the home of the author, has been financed by ticket sales, however, with no visitors since March, the director fears permanent closure may be on the cards.
Cindy Sughrue, the head curator of the museum, said that: “We have funds to get us through the end of April, and we’ve got a little bit of savings after that.
“I can see that we can eke out until September. But, if the social distancing measures continue beyond that, then there’s a real danger that we will not survive.”
It is estimated that at present between ninety-three to ninety-five per cent of museums in the world are closed as a result of Covid-19. Further research conducted by ICOM the International Council of Museums, indicates that ten per cent may not reopen.
In a survey by the Network of European Museum Organisations, 30 respondents in a survey across more than 40 countries voiced concern that they will have to close permanently in the aftermath of the pandemic, including Spain’s Museum of the Americas and Austria’s Kornberg Castle.
The impact of Covid-19 upon museums is dependent upon the country in which they are situated. State sponsored institutions in Europe, for example, are less vulnerable than US establishments who are almost entirely dependent upon ticket sales. According to the American Alliance of Museums, almost 30 per cent of museums may fail if no immediate action is taken.
With museums currently unable to rely upon the public for support, Alistair Brown, a policy advisor for Britain’s Museums Association, looks to the future: “The biggest factor will be when reopening happens.”
