APPENDIX 20
Supplementary memorandum submitted by
the British Museum
1. Editorial control over exhibitions rests
with the British Museum. Clearly we consult as appropriate and
may be involved in collaborative programmes on exhibitions, for
example, but the terms of any relationship for gallery or exhibition
development are clearly defined in funding agreements.
2. The funding allocation for the Korea
Gallery for one year is specific and does not, therefore, recognise
the operating reality of the Museum. The impact of the physical
configuration in a Grade I listed building means that some galleries
can be closed and secured more easily than others—on the
upper floors, for example, a whole suite of galleries may be required
to close if one part of it is unavailable for fire exit purposes.
To manage this, the opening of the Korea Gallery may—without
additional staff—lead to a different gallery having to be
closed more often.
3. The British Museum recognises the need
to work with DCMS to achieve the best form of relationship and
welcomes the Touchstone programme as a contribution to this end
but has yet to explore it in any detail.
4. The usefulness of a "matrix of key
performance indicators" (DCMS annual report 2002, p 31) which
can be compared across organisations is understood. We are currently
discussing with the DCMS the process by which The British Museum
Funding Agreement might develop for the future.
5. Ensuring that there is synergy between
the objectives of the government and The British Museum is a key
responsibility of both parties.
28 November 2002
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