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WORLD SOCIETY AND NEWS:
THE BEST, THE WORST AND THE LATEST NEWS: NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL POLITICS. ARTS. FASHION. SPORT. FOOD. MEDIA. MUSIC. ENTERTAINMENT. SHOWBIZ. CINEMA. THEATER. STARS. CELEBRITIES.
By J.D. LACROIX and PEGGY NORTH
LONDON'S SOCIETY OF ART______________________________________
ESTELLE MORRIS URGES MPS TO BACK MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES MONTH
Photo:
Arts Minister Estelle Morris described museums and galleries as "the bedrock
of local tourism". Photo: Corinne Field. © 24 Hour Museum.
Arts Minister, Estelle Morris has urged fellow Members of Parliament to get behind Museums and Galleries Month (MGM) 2004, which starts on May 1. In a letter sent to MPs all over the country, the minister describes museums and galleries as the "bedrock of local tourism" and highlights MGM as a great opportunity for her colleagues to boost the profile of the UK’s cultural institutions. "I very much hope that during Museums and Galleries Month there will be events and activities in your area that you will be able to support," she writes, "or if not, that you will have time to visit your local museum or gallery to help publicise their work." With around 1500 museums and galleries taking part, MGM is the largest museum promotion of its kind in the world. The event is not only a chance for museums to show off the wealth of artefacts, artworks and knowledge they have to offer, but also to bring attention to the role they play in communities
Photo,
left: 24 Hour Museum Chairman and MGM co-chair, Loyd Grossman launches MGM
2004 and its theme of Travelling and the Art of Travel
According to Estelle Morris, it is time to build on the success of free access to national museums and Renaissance in the Regions by making sure museums can continue and extend their work. "We are gathering more and more evidence of the benefits that museums and galleries can deliver," she writes, "including strengthening community identity, supporting the national curriculum and lifelong learning, boosting local economies and above all enriching quality of life." Her comments and efforts to raise the profile of all museums and galleries have been welcomed by experts in the sector. Speaking on the Museums Association website, deputy director, Maurice Davies said: "It's fantastic to have a minister who is so interested in museums." "She both believes in their value for society and is also identifying some of the longstanding problems that hamper their ability to reach their potential." Organised by the Campaign for Museums with support from engage and other museum and gallery associations, MGM is funded by the DCMS, the Museums Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) and Arts Council England. With the 200th anniversary of steam in mind, this year’s event will centre around the theme of travel and is fittingly sponsored by Eurostar whose 10th birthday also falls in 2004. Throughout May, UK museums, galleries and heritage sites will be putting on special events, workshops and exhibitions to celebrate the occasion.-David Prudames
End of the article.