The UK government’s recent extension of the Museums and Galleries Exhibition Tax Relief (MGETR) until March 2026 is a significant boom for museums and their visitors. Originally introduced in 2017, the scheme allows museums to claim tax relief on the costs of mounting exhibitions, and the new extension, alongside increased rates, promises to have widespread benefits.
Benefits for Museums.
For museums, the extension means continued financial support at a time when institutions are still recovering from the pandemic. With up to 50% relief for traveling exhibitions and 45% for non-traveling exhibitions, museums can reclaim a significant portion of their costs for curating, producing, and marketing exhibitions. For example, large museums like the British Museum or Tate Modern can use the relief to invest in cutting-edge technologies for interactive exhibits, improving visitor engagement. Smaller museums, such as The Museum of Cornish Life, can take advantage of the relief to develop more ambitious programming or attract new traveling exhibits that might otherwise have been financially out of reach.
Expanding Cultural Access for Visitors.
For visitors, the extended tax relief translates into access to a wider variety of exhibitions and enhanced experiences. Museums can now take more creative risks, showcasing diverse topics and lesser-known collections that may not have had mass appeal without this financial cushion. For instance, a regional museum might host a special exhibition on local history with immersive, multimedia installations. Traveling exhibitions like the Natural History Museum’s “Wildlife Photographer of the Year” tour can continue reaching wider audiences across the UK.
By relieving financial pressures, the MGETR extension will allow more inclusive and innovative exhibitions, ensuring that museums remain accessible, vibrant cultural centres for both local and international audiences.