Sir, The £10 million the Higher Education Funding Council for England (Hefce) currently distributes to university museums each year provides as much as 50 per cent of some institutions’ funding (letter, Jan 20). Not only is public subsidy invaluable in levering-in additional money from elsewhere (including from The Art Fund) but it also supports core activities on which additional research and public benefits are delivered. While we acknowledge the pressures on public funds, £10 million is a modest sum in terms of Hefce’s overall budget, but is a vital source of support for the 31 museums and galleries that currently receive it.
Stephen Deuchar
Director, The Art Fund