£200k Digital Innovation and Engagement fund launches for museums

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has partnered with the Museums Association and The Liminal Space to launch a new £200k Digital Innovation and Engagement fund for museums

Amidst the emergence of a climate emergency, Black Lives Matter, and a global pandemic, the shifting attitudes of museum attendees provide an incentive for change in the sector not seen since World War Two.

UKRI’s two-strand programme aims to support museums and galleries during this unprecedented time.

The fund will offer museums and galleries grants of up to £50k to scale up and evaluate the innovations they have designed through the COVID-19 pandemic.

UKRI’s Head of Public Engagement, Tom Saunders said:

“In these unprecedented times, museums are at a critical crossroads, focusing on reopening while continuing to innovate in the brilliant ways we’ve seen during lockdown. UKRI looks forward to working with the cultural sector on shaping a new cultural future and in creating a more inclusive and accessible research and innovation landscape.”

The Museums Association Director Sharon Heal said:

“At their best museums can help us learn from the past, understand what’s happening now and help us to shape the future. They have worked really hard during the current crisis to connect with their communities in new and meaningful ways. We are delighted to be working with UKRI to support innovation in engagement which we hope the whole sector can learn from.”

The Liminal Space Director, Sarah Douglas said:

“The mindsets were developed in conjunction with the sector, and those around it, at an extraordinary moment in our history and offer up an innovative and actionable way of envisaging the future of the museum. We’re delighted to be partnering with UKRI and the Museums Association on this exciting new programme and look forward to working with the sector on bringing the mindsets to life.”