A survey asking for people’s views on Thanet council owned and managed museums has launched today (January 29).
Last year Thanet council put out a tender to select and appoint a supplier to carry out a Strategic Review of Thanet’s Museums, with particular focus on Dickens House Museum, Broadstairs, Margate Museum and the Tudor House.
The authority appointed specialist team Haley Sharpe Design with support from Arts Council England.
Thanet council said: “The council owned museums need to be reshaped to ensure their security and sustainability in the future.
“The council is commissioning a short review of museums in Thanet, considering where the museums are positioned, whether this has any implications on content and/or how they should be managed.
“This strategic oversight is needed to help understand the future of the publicly owned museums.”
The review was commissioned to take place between June and December.
Thanet council says feedback received from the public will help to inform the strategy.
The online survey is open from Monday 29 January until 5pm on Friday 16 February, and should take around 10 minutes to complete.
The survey can be accessed via Your Voice Thanet,
Paper copies of the survey will be available for collection from the Visitor Information Centre, Droit House, Margate.
Cllr Ruth Duckworth, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Property, said: “Museums have an important role to play in the district’s cultural and heritage offer. Each museum has its own displays, collections and unique stories to tell.
“The strategic review will add to our understanding of how our council-run museums fit into the district’s broader cultural offering for residents and visitors. I would urge people, whether they’re passionate about museums or haven’t visited one in many years, to complete the online survey. A wide range of feedback will really help us to see the full picture.”
Alongside the review, the council has commissioned full structural surveys of the three museum buildings, including estimated costs for repair works. The surveys will inform the level of capital investment needed to bring the museums up to modern standards.
A review of the museums was previously carried out in 2018 with plans to market the sites to be taken over by external organisations.
