Museum funding

Glaswegians have been grumbling about the under- and unfair funding of museums and art galleries in Scotland for as long as I can remember, yet this Herald article offers hope for change. Glasgow's fine collection of art galleries and museums, boasting world-famous paintings and exhibits are funded by the City Council, with no central money. Edinburgh, where the National Galleries of Scotland are located with their excellent collections, receives annual government funding to the tune of £40m. Glasgow's museums receive more 200,000 more visitors per year than those in Edinburgh. Furthermore, Glasgow City Council has less money to play with overall than Edinburgh: the city receives less income in council tax due to a higher rate of poverty; and affluent suburbs such as Bearsden and Newton Mearns remaining stubbornly outside the city boundaries (despite their residents enjoying Glasgow's free facilities). Glasgow's art galleries and museums are free to enter, which has resulted in their enjoyment by those of all means for many years.

This summit between the Culture Minister and museum leaders is to be welcomed, with the hope that Glasgow's collection will receive the funding it deserves.