An appeal to the public to visit London’s great museums and galleries while they are “quieter” was made today by Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden.
Two-thirds have opened their doors and are eager to show people around, but the Cabinet minister said they were still short of visitors.
“Quieter galleries mean more time and space to enjoy some of the greatest art ever created in the world,” he told the Standard. “It’s time to get out safely and be here for culture.”
The British Museum, Tate Modern, V&A and the Wallace Collection are among treasure-packed institutions that have reopened since the end of lockdown. Mr Dowden said he was revisiting as many as possible and enjoying the relative calm. “There has never been a better or more important time to enjoy Britain’s cultural treasures,” he added.
Although he said the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund supported the reopening, he warned: “These places also need visitors — to be here for culture and secure their future.” The British Museum opened yesterday and visitors can book a free timed entry ticket via its website.
