Despite taking steps in the right direction, the UK’s landmark museums and galleries are still struggling to recover from their visitation losses brought on by the pandemic. According to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), visits to UK museums have increased by 8% compared to last year, but footfall remains at just 84% of pre-Covid levels.
This is not the same story as we see being told on the international stage. A recent survey by the Arts Newspaper reveals that some of the world’s most iconic museums have already bounced back to pre-pandemic attendance figures. Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum, Paris' Musée d'Orsay, and Florence's Galleria degli Uffizi have all reported visitor numbers equal to or higher than they enjoyed in 2019. Meanwhile, UK institutions like the British Museum and National Gallery still lag behind.
