UQAM a leader in international research on public funding of museums around the world
February 6, 2025 ─ A decrease in public funding has had a profound impact on museums worldwide, according to Addressing the Crisis, a report from the International Council of Museums (ICOM), co-edited by team members of the UQAM Research Chair on Museum Governance and Cultural Law.
This research project was conceived and coordinated in Montréal, a city recognized, along with Rio de Janeiro, as one of the world’s most important museology centres by Lisa Baillargeon and Yves Bergeron, UQAM professors in the departments of Accounting Sciences and Art History respectively, and Michèle Rivet, Scientific Director of the research project at the Chair.
Key findings of the ICOM report
• Decline in public funding: Exacerbated by the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, the decline in public funding resulted in significant operational challenges, staff layoffs, reduced programming and the postponement of numerous projects. Even when budgets have remained stable, inflation and increased responsibilities have resulted in a real decrease in available funds.
• Shift to self-financing and hybrid models: By encouraging museums to generate their own revenue, governments have driven an increase in self-financing efforts combining public and private sources.
• Digital transformation and community engagement: The pandemic has accelerated digital initiatives, with museums developing online platforms, virtual tours and digital exhibitions.
• Regional and institutional disparities: There are significant funding disparities between countries, as well as between national and smaller museum institutions that are struggling to compete.
• Increasing competition: The expansion of the heritage field and the multiplication of private museums have intensified competition for funding. Public museums are at a disadvantage compared to private museums.
• Cultural diplomacy: Governments often overlook the critical role that museums play in cultural diplomacy.
• Impact of new responsibilities: The new ICOM definition of museums, which includes broader responsibilities such as inclusiveness and sustainability, has put additional pressure on museums to adapt and expand their missions.
Proposed calls for action
The members of the expert committee have proposed several actions to compensate for the decline in public funding, notably the diversification of funding sources, by integrating private donations, corporate sponsorships and income-generating activities.
The report also recommends that governments implement multi-year grants, adjusted for inflation, provide resources for digital transformation, and ensure equitable funding across museums of different statuses.
A mandate obtained by UQAM
In January 2023, the Chair obtained the mandate from ICOM to undertake, in partnership with the University of Shanghai (IMREC), a comprehensive study on the state of public funding of museums around the world. To carry out this survey, the team at the Chair created the International Research Alliance on Public Funding for Museums (IRAPFM) with museums and researchers on six continents (North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceania).
Accounting Sciences professor Lisa Baillargeon and History professor Yves Bergeron are available for interviews.
Information
Michele Rivet
Scientific Director of the research project
Member of the Board of Trustees of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights
Email: michele.rivet2010@gmail.com
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