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Shabana has written to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport asking them to support museums and galleries.

In her letter to the Secretary of State, Rt Hon Oliver Dowden CBE MP, Shabana emphasised the contributions made by museums to our local identity and their significant contributions to the local economy and the vibrancy of Birmingham.

She echoed comments explaining that Birmingham’s museums go from strength to strength, widening visitor participation to younger and more diverse audiences, and running award-winning community engagement programmes across the city.

Shabana has asked the DCMS to outline what plans will be put in place to secure the future longevity of our museums and galleries.

You can read her letter in full below.


Letter to the Secretary of State

Dear Secretary of State,

I am writing regarding support for museums and art galleries in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.

I have recently been contracted by a number of museums and art galleries in my constituency supporting the efforts of Arts Council England, the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions, and the National Museum Directors’ Council to secure government support to ensure the long-term survival of our regional museums.

My constituency of Birmingham, Ladywood is home to the highest concentration of museums and galleries in the city. Museums with a legacy of reflecting Britain’s historic position as a global and industrial power, galleries that display the rich cultural heritage of our city and our country, and smaller institutions that seek to tell the story of modern Britain and its developing arts scene.

In Birmingham our museums go from strength to strength, widening visitor participation to younger and more diverse audiences, and running award-winning community engagement programmes across the city. It is clear that they contribute to a sense of local identity and make significant contributions to the local economy and the vibrancy of our city.

The challenge ahead of us is extraordinary and will shape our country for years to come. Our museums and galleries will have a large part to play in rebuilding our local communities when we eventually return to normal life.

Please could outline what support the DCMS plans to put in place to secure the future longevity of our museums and galleries.

Shabana Mahmood MP

Member of Parliament for Birmingham Ladywood

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