Nicholas Cullinan, the newly appointed director of the British Museum, has outlined ambitious plans for what he describes as the "largest transformation of any museum in the world." After a series of high-profile controversies, Cullinan, who previously led London’s National Portrait Gallery (NPG), has vowed to steer the institution through significant change.
Cullinan, who took over from interim director Mark Jones in June, told The Times, “I will lead the biggest transformation any museum has ever seen." In addition to restoring the museum's reputation, he will be responsible for implementing a $1.3 billion overhaul that includes a full digital expansion and the renovation of its 3,500 rooms and galleries.
The British Museum found itself under scrutiny in 2023 when approximately 2,000 items were stolen from its collection. Following the incident, the museum launched an independent review of its security measures. Peter Higgs, a former curator, was accused of the thefts and dismissed in July of last year, though he maintains his innocence. In response to the scandal, the museum's former director, Hartwig Fischer, resigned, acknowledging that the institution failed to address the thefts properly. Many of the stolen artifacts, including gold jewelry, gems, and ancient glass, have since been recovered.
Cullinan has since confirmed that the investigation is closed, stating, “Lessons have been learned, and decisive actions have been taken.” He added that digitizing the museum's entire collection—around eight million objects—will be a crucial part of this effort.
However, controversy continues to surround the British Museum. In late 2023, the museum’s trustees, led by former UK chancellor George Osborne, accepted a $65 million donation from oil giant BP. The decision was met with sharp criticism from environmental activists who accused the museum of being disconnected from current public sentiment.
Cullinan, who ended BP’s sponsorship of the NPG during his tenure there, indicated that he likely won’t take similar action at the British Museum. He explained, “There are two key considerations when accepting donations: will it harm the museum’s reputation, and are there strong enough reasons to refuse funding that helps keep the British Museum free for the public? Free admission is one of the reasons I remain committed to working in this country. It sets our museums apart.”
Cullinan acknowledged that museums shouldn’t always focus solely on earning revenue, but pointed out that many are already largely self-funded and not reliant on taxpayer money.
Selena Mattei
| ArtMajeur Magazine