Majority say museums should take a stance on the climate crisis

This article was first published by the Museums Association.

A majority of people believe that museums, galleries and heritage sites should take a stance on the climate crisis, according to new research.

In an online survey by the Audience Agency, 51% of people agreed with the statement that these venues “should take a stance” on climate change.

Forty-seven per cent of people took this view in relation to live cultural venues, and 53% about visitor attractions.

Large proportions of people also believe that cultural organisations should take a stance on other social issues, according to the research – with just under half saying this about each of the three categories of venue.

In addition, 51% of all respondents said that they prefer to go to cultural venues “which I know share my values”.

The Audience Agency said that while this result may seem close-run, there were far more people for whom organisations sharing their own values was “a positive driving attendance factor”.

@UK_ICOM