Figures show the number of visitors to the UK’s major museums and galleries fell last year for the first time in almost a decade. We asked the public about their experience and views.
The biggest drop of visiting museums in 2015/2016 was seen in educational visits and school groups, which showed a 6.9% decline on 2014/15.
According to the Museums Association, though, the figures “only cover England’s national museums and therefore provide a partial view of the health of the UK’s museums”.
“In fact, the government’s own Taking Part Survey shows that museum visits are at an all-time high in England, with 52.5% of all adults visiting a museum last year.” said a spokesman for the Museums Association.
So we asked people their experience and opinions of this situation.
Maurice Pirotte, retired
I often go to museums with my family, especially my grandchildren, it is educational. And I also love the shops in Cardiff Museum, it provide warm atmosphere for people. I think less people go to museum is surprising, because it is mostly free. Nowadays people are immersed in technology, they should more focus on the reality.
Jonothan Page, football coach
I like go to Welsh local museum, because it can shows different things from other museums, those which exhibit regular events. Locally, I come to Cardiff Museum by myself frequently, and maybe go to farther ones with family. Children always bothered by other things, like box games, so it maybe difficult for them to focus on arts.
Paul Luen, Museum staff
I just work here and never visits other cities’ museums, but here I had been to St.Fragans and Cardiff story museum. Museums may put more investment on advertisements to spread their influence. And maybe keep changing the exhibitions to strengthen the level of interest to people.
Robin Williams, Museum cleaner
I often go to museums when I was young and now I work here. I love everything about museums. Because of Internet growth people can find things what they want on website and lots of other events that people can join in, which is distracting. Museums can put more information on website and display some small advertisements along the streets.
Firnanda Tranjan, Student
About once a month? It depends. I love natural history and ancient things. I usually go by myself, sometimes go by my mother. Technology allows us to see things online and we need not do too much. Museum’s staffs can go into the communities to spread the information, this will be beneficial for them and the development of museums.
