Episode 27 - The museum without a collection

This episode returns to the subject of museums—this time with a focus on Birmingham. Across the UK, museums are facing profound challenges: cuts to public funding, declining sponsorship, and growing confusion about their purpose. Institutions are under pressure to redefine themselves around themes of colonialism, identity, and inclusion—often with uncertain results.At the heart of this episode is Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery (BMAG), a grand Victorian institution that closed in 2020 during the Covid lockdown. Four years later, its partial reopening in 2024 raised more questions than answers. Much of the building remains closed. Large sections of the permanent collection are nowhere to be seen. Visitors and former staff alike have expressed confusion and concern.Why is so much still missing? Why has there been so little public explanation? And why have local media and cultural institutions stayed so quiet? Brendan Flynn – is an independent curator, and is the former Curator of Fine Art at Birmingham Museums & Art Gallery responsible for the research, development, display and interpretation of the Fine Art collections. In 2014 Brendan was elected Professor of Art History for the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists.Michael Savage – is an investment banker by profession, but for our purposes writes a very well-respected blog called the ‘Grumpy Art Historian’. Art history is Michael’s passion, and he knows a fair bit about the Birmingham collection and its history, as he grew up in the city. You can find him on X @GrumpyArtRosie Cuckston - is one of the organisers of Birmingham Salon, which hosts regular in-person debates around the city on a wide range of topics – arts, culture, politics, philosophy et. Rosie was lead singer with Birmingham band Pram. Earlier this year Rosie organised a Birmingham Salon discussion titled ‘What future for Birmingham's museums?’ Her guest speaker was city Councillor Robert Alden, who is on the Board of Trustees of Birmingham Museums. A short recording of Cllr Alden’s introduction will be available shortly. Please email us if you are interested.Find Birmingham Salon on X - @birminghamsalon Get full access to Arts First at artsfirst.substack.com/subscribe

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