Ditchling Museum of Art + Craft in East Sussex is closing temporarily in order to reimagine its business model due to the \u201cchallenging economic context\u201d.<\/p>\n
In a statement, the museum confirmed it would temporarily close to the public from 23 February.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a\u00a0planned pause that allows time to reflect on the focus of our work and to plan our next phase in response to changes in the challenging economic context in which museums now operate,\u201d the statement said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe organisation remains active, and we will share further updates in due course. We are grateful for your continued support.\u201d<\/p>\n
All staff at the museum have been issued with redundancy notices. Museums Journal understands that no decisions related to redundancy have been confirmed yet.<\/p>\n
Jo Myles, the chair of the museum\u2019s board, made clear that the closure was a temporary measure to safeguard the museum and its collections during a \u201cfunded period of reimagining\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is very much about responsible stewardship,\u201d she told Museums Journal. \u201cAs we all know, this is an incredibly challenging time in our sector. Ditchling is a rural museum with no public transport and that has elevated those challenges.\u201d<\/p>\n
Myles said the museum saw a significant drop in footfall last year, which she attributed to the cost of living crisis and changes in visitor behaviour.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re in an incredibly challenging cost of living crisis,\u201d she said. \u201cPeople want to visit places that offer them multiple things to do. We\u2019re very isolated and we don\u2019t have any natural footfall to pull upon.\u201d<\/p>\n
Myles said that the operating model for Ditchling, which opened in 1985 and underwent a lottery-funded redevelopment in 2013, was \u201cno longer sustainable\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201c[The closure] is very much about recognising that,\u201d she said. \u201cWe\u2019ve been very active and done a lot of work around resilience and earned income, but it hasn\u2019t been enough.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a pause so the museum can stay open and not close permanently.\u201d<\/p>\n
The museum has funding to see it through the closure period. The ongoing redevelopment of the museum\u2019s Dye Garden, funded by South Downs National Park Authority, will also continue.<\/p>\n
Myles said the length of the pause is yet to be decided. \u201cWe\u2019re still working that out but it\u2019s not going to be a matter of months,\u201d she said. \u201cWe need time to research, test and build resilience.\u201d<\/p>\n
The museum offer is likely to look quite different when the venue reopens, she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt will be a very different proposition. As a board, we\u2019re really committed and really hopeful \u2013 we want to support the museum and take it forward. We\u2019re in active conversations with active and historical key stakeholders and we foresee a mixed model of industry funding and business partnerships.\u201d<\/p>\n
Myles urged people to visit the museum before 23 February. \u201cCome and see us before we\u2019re transformed,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Ditchling Museum of Art + Craft explores the East Sussex village\u2019s legacy as a centre of art and craft in the 20th century.<\/p>\n
The museum highlights the lives and work of the artists and craftspeople who made Ditchling their home, and houses a nationally significant collection of art and craft, including direct carving, wood engraving, printing, typography, weaving and silversmithing, alongside works by prominent artists.<\/p>\n