Sheffield MP to meet minister on the 'funding crisis' facing museums and art galleries

Central MP Paul Blomfield has secured a meeting between Museums Sheffield and culture ministers to address the 'crisis facing museums and galleries up and down the country'.

He added the funding cuts have hit northern cities like Sheffield the hardest.

Highlighting the success of Museums Sheffield in finding innovative solutions to the cut in funding, Mr Blomfield said: “It’s really short sighted of the Government to cut local authority funding to the point that arts and culture suffer because Councils have to fulfil their legal obligations to deliver services like social care and waste collection.

"Museums and galleries are a vital part of the life of cities like Sheffield, and crucial to attracting the investment that creates jobs. I am pleased Museums Sheffield are leading the way in finding solutions to the funding crisis. I hope Ministers will take on board their suggestions, and think again about the need for public investment.”

Matt Hancock MP, Minister of State for Digital and Culture said he'd be 'delighted' to meet with Mr Blomfield and Museum Sheffield.

"The best local authorities are increasing their investment in arts and culture because they see the value in it in strengthening the sense of place and making sure the arts are available to all and there is no excuse for not doing so," he said.

Museums Sheffield are a charity which runs the Millennium Gallery, Graves Gallery & Weston Park Museum, and cares for the city's collections of art, human history and natural science.