A transformative wind is set to sweep through the United Kingdom’s museum landscape, promising to democratise access to national treasures and foster unprecedented collaboration. Art Fund, the esteemed charity dedicated to enriching public collections, is poised to launch “Going Places,” a groundbreaking £5 million project designed to enable 20 museums to share their collections, expertise, and resources. A subtle sentience seems to animate this initiative, a recognition that the future of cultural engagement lies in synergy and shared narratives, rather than isolated institutional silos. Creativitys.UK will tell you about this ambitious endeavour, analysing its potential to revolutionise the touring exhibition model, empower local communities, and ensure the enduring vitality of the UK’s rich cultural heritage.
A Vision of Synergy
Billed as the “UK’s largest ever collaborative touring project,” Going Places is a direct response to the evolving needs and challenges facing contemporary museums. The core concept involves institutions pooling their assets and knowledge to create themed exhibitions that will tour nationwide, commencing in May 2026. This museum collaboration UK model is not merely about logistics; it’s a philosophical shift towards collective curatorial practice. Museums interested in participating underwent a “matchmaking” process, identifying shared thematic interests and forming collaborative clusters. This proactive approach to partnership ensures that the resulting exhibitions are born from genuine shared vision and curatorial passion.
Diverse Thematic Explorations
The initial pairings and themes already hint at the rich diversity of narratives that “Going Places” will unlock. Museums Worcestershire, OnFife, and Penlee House Gallery and Museum in Penzance, for instance, will collaborate on exhibitions spotlighting the often-underrepresented female artists in collections. This focus promises to bring new perspectives to art history and celebrate creative voices that may have been historically marginalised. Elsewhere, Aberdeenshire Council, Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, and the Open Eye Gallery in Liverpool will delve into the multifaceted theme of “journeys,” encompassing everything from migration and exile to personal milestones and cultural celebrations. This broad scope allows for a deeply human and relatable exploration of shared experiences through diverse artistic lenses. Another compelling cluster, featuring Blackwell Arts & Crafts House, Dovecot Studios, Tŷ Pawb, and the William Morris Gallery, will re-examine the Arts and Crafts movement, using it as a springboard to consider contemporary manufacturing, social values, and emerging political dialogues.
Addressing Modern Challenges
Art Fund’s Chief Executive, Jenny Waldman, has highlighted that the project is a pragmatic response to the financial pressures many museums currently face. Ambitious touring exhibitions are vital for attracting new audiences and invigorating collections, but they are also expensive undertakings. By sharing costs and expertise, “Going Places” aims to make such ambitious projects more feasible and sustainable. Waldman noted, “Our museum directors surveys told us 63% of museums want to work with other museums on ambitious shows because they bring in new audiences but they are expensive.” This arts funding UK initiative directly addresses this need, fostering a spirit of mutual support and resourcefulness. The project’s emphasis on sustainable museum practices also aligns with broader environmental and economic concerns.
Community at the Core
A particularly exciting aspect of “Going Places” is its commitment to involving local communities in the curatorial process. This community engagement museums approach empowers residents to collaborate with curators, contributing to decisions about what objects and stories will be featured in the exhibitions. This model draws inspiration from highly successful initiatives like Manchester Museum’s redevelopment, where local South Asian communities played a pivotal role in shaping the content of its new galleries. Waldman astutely observed, “The Manchester Museum showed that if the items and stories are interesting to the communities who are making the exhibition then it’s likely they will be interesting to other people too.” This democratisation of curatorial authority not only makes exhibitions more relevant and engaging for local audiences but also enriches the narratives presented, ensuring a more inclusive and multifaceted understanding of our shared heritage.
Robust Financial Backing
The ambitious scope of “Going Places” is underpinned by significant financial support. The project has secured £2.86 million from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and £1.5 million from the Julia Rausing Trust, underscoring the perceived value and potential impact of this collaborative model. Simon Fourmy, Director of the Julia Rausing Trust, praised the project’s “innovative collaborative approach,” while Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, lauded its capacity to allow museums to “share diverse and much-loved collections in a unique and dynamic way.” This robust cultural project funding ensures that the vision can be realised on a truly national scale.
Revolutionising Touring Models
The traditional model for touring exhibitions often involves a single, larger institution lending works to smaller venues. “Going Places” fundamentally reimagines this dynamic. By fostering partnerships between multiple institutions of varying sizes and geographical locations, it creates a more equitable and reciprocal system of exchange. This collaborative exhibition model not only allows for the sharing of physical objects but also facilitates the invaluable exchange of curatorial knowledge, conservation expertise, and audience engagement strategies. It has the potential to break down perceived hierarchies within the museum sector and cultivate a stronger sense of national cultural cohesion. The focus on national art collection access is paramount.
A Legacy of Collaboration
The impact of “Going Places” is likely to extend far beyond the duration of the project itself. By demonstrating the tangible benefits of deep collaboration – reduced costs, enhanced curatorial depth, increased audience reach, and more sustainable practices – it could inspire a lasting shift in how UK museums approach partnerships and touring. The skills, relationships, and innovative methodologies developed through this initiative will become a valuable legacy for the entire sector. This initiative is more than just a series of exhibitions; it is an investment in the future resilience and dynamism of the UK’s museum landscape, ensuring that UK museum development continues on an innovative path.
The “Going Places” project by Art Fund represents a bold and timely intervention in the UK’s cultural sector. It is a visionary response to contemporary challenges, leveraging the power of collaboration to unlock the rich potential of our national collections. By placing community engagement at its heart and fostering a spirit of shared enterprise, this initiative promises not only to bring extraordinary art and artefacts to new audiences across the country but also to forge stronger, more resilient, and more interconnected museum communities. As these institutions embark on their thematic journeys, they will undoubtedly unearth new stories, spark fresh dialogues, and reaffirm the vital role that museums play in preserving, interpreting, and celebrating our collective cultural identity. The potential for heritage site collaboration and art exhibition touring is immense, heralding an exciting new chapter for public access to art.
