The UK’s Cultural Sector at Risk Darren Barker calls for urgent action to prevent irreversible loss
26.09.2025
Social impact, News
In a powerful opinion piece for the Museums Journal, Barker Langham co-founder Darren Barker issues a stark warning: the UK’s cultural sector is facing an existential crisis.
Years of underfunding, rising energy costs, and ongoing economic pressures have left many organisations on the brink of collapse. With some already forced to close or reduce activity, Darren argues that without immediate intervention, we risk “irreparable damage to the fabric of our society.”
His article sets out seven practical proposals – from the creation of a Culture Funding Taskforce to the introduction of long-range financial mechanisms that recognise the true value of cultural infrastructure. More than just a call for emergency support, Darren outlines the need for a systemic shift: treating the cultural sector not as a luxury, but as essential national infrastructure.
“Culture is who we are and what makes life worth living,” he writes. “It’s the lifeblood of the country – not just something that is nice to have.”
With clarity and urgency, Darren calls on political leaders, local authorities, and cultural institutions to act now – before it’s too late.
Read the full article here