Home / Arts and Entertainment / National Treasures Saved: £59.7M Cultural Gifts Secure UK Heritage
National Treasures Saved: £59.7M Cultural Gifts Secure UK Heritage
15 Jan
Summary
- Over £59.7m in cultural artifacts secured for UK institutions.
- Items include desks of Churchill and Disraeli, a Degas pastel, and Bell painting.
- Arts Council England's schemes protect national heritage for public enjoyment.
A remarkable collection of cultural treasures, valued at £59.7 million, has been secured for the nation through Arts Council England's initiatives. These acquisitions enrich museums, galleries, libraries, and archives across the UK, safeguarding items of exceptional rarity, historical significance, and artistic merit.
Notable acquisitions include the Regency mahogany desk utilized by Prime Ministers Winston Churchill and Benjamin Disraeli, now housed at Hughenden Manor. A vibrant Degas pastel, 'Danseuses roses,' has found a home at the National Gallery, while Vanessa Bell's 'Vase, Flowers and Bowl' is displayed at Charleston House. The political archive of Lord Geoffrey Howe has been transferred to the Bodleian Library, and deeds related to Thomas Becket's murder are now with the South West Heritage Trust.
These schemes, including the Cultural Gifts Scheme and the Acceptance in Lieu scheme established in 1910, are vital for preserving the UK's heritage. Nicholas Serota, Chair of Arts Council England, emphasized their importance in allowing more communities to engage with and understand their shared cultural past, marking this as a highly prolific year for such allocations.
