This report was produced by ArtTactic and commissioned by Arts Council England.

Publicly funded museums and galleries are cornerstones of community identity, education, and heritage. From the largest art galleries to the smallest local museum, each enriches our shared cultural lives and supports economic vitality through tourism and placemaking.

But the environment in which these cherished cultural organisations operate is proving challenging, with rising costs, the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and the legacy of Covid-19 all continuing to have an impact.

This report focusses on contemporary collecting, and regional museums and galleries in particular. Commissioned by Arts Council England and prepared by ArtTactic, it examines where these relationships are strong, where gaps remain, and what steps could strengthen the ecosystem. With unprecedented wealth transfers, shifting philanthropic values, and widening regional disparities, this report argues that the time is right to reimagine how museums, funders, and private stakeholders could collaborate more effectively.

"I believe that the report will become a valuable source that will assist museums, the art trade, and collectors who would like to see works that they own become part of the national collection. I would like to thank ArtTactic and participants in the research for their contribution to this endeavour."

Sir Nicholas Serota, Chair, Arts Council England