One of our most read articles of the year just so happens to have aged the worst.
Fans of irony, enjoy…
2020 museum openings: a sneak peek at what to expect this year
The two most read of all our news stories in 2020, this duo transport us back to a moment when uncertainty was rife and the future was about as opaque as it could possibly be for the sector.
Tate and National Trust the latest big names to close during coronavirus shutdown
Irreverence has been key to maintaining sanity this year. As such, it’s perhaps unsurprising that this article exploring museums’ more entertaining responses to social distancing signage proved very popular.
Signs of the times: how museums made social distancing signage an art form
Evidence, as if it were needed, that many of our readers are not only industry professionals but also museum nerds. This article exploring what the BBC would be broadcasting in its initial lockdown mini-series of culture programming quickly racked up a high number of views.
Museums In Quarantine part of new BBC Arts lockdown programming
Despite the pandemic’s omnipresent shadow, some other hugely significant issues have come to the fore in 2020. The Black Lives Matter movement has stimulated debate long stifled in the heritage sector. As the high figures for this article show, it’s an issue many readers care about.
Black Lives Matter, Benin Bronzes and Britishness: how can UK museums decolonise?
Another of our most popular news stories, the announcement that Museum of London was collecting relics of life during the pandemic seemed to foster a feeling that museums were back to doing museum things – and by extension, a semblance of normality had been restored.
Museum of London begins collecting objects and stories of Covid-19 in the capital
September’s announcement from Birmingham Museums Trust that Sara Wajid and Zak Mensah were to become its joint CEOs certainly caught the sector’s attention. This story became both one of our most read and most popular on Twitter.
Birmingham Museums Trust appoints ‘trailblazers’ Sara Wajid and Zak Mensah as joint CEOs
While the traditional black tie may have been usurped by any old colour of jogging bottoms for many of the 4,300 viewers, the first ever virtual Museums + Heritage Awards still celebrated the sector’s achievements with its customary gusto this year. A rundown of who won what also garnered plenty of interest.
Winners announced at the first ever virtual Museums + Heritage Awards 2020
Finally, our most read feature of the year was a symbol that museums are not neutral and, even in the toughest of times, are willing to stand up for what’s right.
The first UK museum has officially joined the Facebook boycott. Should others follow?
Thank you all for your continued, unwavering support throughout an unbelievably challenging year. Each and every view of our stories has made it worthwhile.
The M+H team will continue to do all we can to ensure you are updated and entertained in 2021 and beyond.
