Annual Museum Survey – England 2023 Reporting

Each year the Annual Museum Survey engaged non-national museums within the Accreditation scheme to contribute data on their workforce, finance, audiences, and insights. In 2023 over 700 museums, 57% of England’s independent, local authority and university governed organisations, contributed.  

The Annual Museum Survey provides insights into the sector’s health as well as the challenges and opportunities it is facing. By benchmarking data generated every year, it has been possible to spotlight past and current trends such as the impact of the pandemic on volunteering and finances. In 2023, we tell a story of the (post-) pandemic legacy as well as of increasing pressures on the sector due to the cost-of-living and energy crisis. 

Insights generated by the Annual Museum Survey are used by museums to demonstrate their social and economic value, both locally and nationally. Data insights also aid museums in benchmarking their operational activity. However, additionally, 2023 provided the first opportunity to fully understand how the sector had recovered from the pandemic as well as understanding the emerging impact of the cost-of-living and energy crisis on this recovery. These insights were critical in providing evidence to national cultural bodies, decision makers and stakeholders as well as supporting museums to make the case for investment. 

National Report

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You can read previous national reports or view an accessible PDF version of the Annual Museums Survey 2023.