University gallery closures show ‘lack of imagination’

Art galleries and museums run by universities have borne the brunt of major cutbacks across the UK sector but critics say closures represent a “lack of imagination” that will harm students’ employability prospects.

The University of Dundee recently announced it was considering shutting the doors of its Cooper Gallery in July next year, as part of its bid to save a further £20 million.

It becomes the latest institution to propose closing a public-facing exhibition space in a testing financial climate for higher education, with King’s College London to shut its Science Gallery London on 31 July.

The University of Sunderland has also faced heavy criticism for shutting its National Glass Centre and, in 2024, Middlesex University closed the 45-year-old Museum of Domestic Design and Architecture (MODA) – a year after the University of Brighton closed its Brighton Centre for Contemporary Art (CCA).

In all cases, institutions blamed the difficult financial climate for the decisions, which come at a time when universities are under renewed pressure to show their worth to local communities.

At King’s a “decision to repurpose” its gallery, conceived as a space that connects science and art which has operated from its current location since 2018, was “a response to the changed landscape of higher education, and national priorities for universities”, a spokesperson said, adding that it will leave a “proud legacy”.

In Dundee, a city that has in recent years billed itself as a cultural hub, the Cooper Gallery has been described by its supporters as a “beacon of radical curatorial research and international art discourse”.

Sion Parkinson, a lecturer in contemporary art and curation at the University of Glasgow who is from Dundee, told Times Higher Education: “The decision to close Cooper Gallery is an act of self-harm, not just to the staff and students at the University of Dundee, but to the arts and heritage sector in Scotland.”

“University galleries typically have a couple of educational functions,” Parkinson said. “They often exhibit artworks or objects within the institution’s permanent collection, or they can be used to share with public audiences the current research being carried out by university staff and students. Worthwhile, sure, if not a bit boring and self-serving.

“Yet over the last 10 years, Cooper Gallery has worked hard to gain its international reputation as a small venue that takes big risks on behalf of the university in which it’s based, and as an artist and curator living in Dundee, that’s exciting. It brings you into contact with new people, new ideas.”

Parkinson questioned the Dundee executive’s “lack of imagination” and added: “Other university galleries should take note, and take risks.”

Veronica Lapeyre, director of the Scottish Contemporary Art Network (SCAN), was most concerned by the impact on students’ career prospects.

“As a research-led university gallery, its programme is widely recognised for its curatorial experimentation, critical engagement and research-intensive practice,” she said.

Lapeyre continued: “The gallery is a vital development ground for students and emerging curators.”

“Permanent closure would remove any vital career pathways opportunities it offers in our sector.”

A spokesperson for the university said: “There is a proposal to cease operating the Cooper Gallery from July 2027, on the current model, as part of widespread change across the university as we look to make the necessary savings to achieve a position of long-term sustainability.

“These are proposals at this stage, subject to a collective consultation process that is now under way. Alternative funding pathways and ways of working will be considered during this consultation.”

georgia.luckhurst@timeshighereducation.com