UK museums are back open – but visitors are staying away

Martin Bailey | The Art Newspaper | 2nd September 2020

Sombre reading. The challenge of rebuilding museum attendances is becoming clearer. Visitor numbers at British national museums are only 12% of pre-Covid levels, reinforcing findings from midyear polls that restoring public confidence will be crucial. US reports are similarly anxiety-producing, one body projecting that many smaller institutions may close permanently.