Museums and galleries are being urged to apply for VAT refunds to support free opening as the Government dusts off a refund scheme last open to new applicants four years ago.
This autumn, any museum and gallery open to the public free for 30 hours a week can apply. It will help organisations boost their finances and open up their collections more regularly.
The VAT Refund Scheme, running since 2001, was last open to new applicants four years ago and is estimated to have refunded as much as £1 billion to museums and galleries.
Arts Minister Lord Parkinson is encouraging museums and galleries which are considering putting on exhibitions for free, as well as institutions already eligible but not currently taking advantage of the scheme, to apply. He said: “The UK’s brilliant museums and galleries can be proud of the huge range of free exhibitions they put on and the role they play in increasing access to arts and culture.
“We want to see even more museums offering free entry, and to support organisations which are providing great opportunities for the public to enjoy.
“I encourage cultural institutions across the UK to apply for the VAT refund scheme so they can help make sure people from all backgrounds get to experience great arts and culture for free.”
Institutions taking part in the scheme are entitled to a refund on VAT incurred on goods and services purchased in order to provide free admission.
