Fewer than one in 20 artworks owned by English councils are on public display, with the vast majority of more than 500,000 pieces kept in storage, according to the BBC.
As of April, only 26,856 works were on display across 225 councils. These collections include works by Tracey Emin, David Hockney, LS Lowry, and Antony Gormley.
Many local authorities struggle with limited storage space. They also face the financial strain of maintaining museums.
Rugby Council is the only authority with more than 100 pieces to have its entire collection on public display. In April, the council exhibited all 257 of its artworks together for the first time.
If things have been squirrelled away, then it’s not going to do that. It’s not just a picture on the wall. It’s how it connects to somebody and makes people think.
Sally Godden, manager of Rugby Art Gallery and Museum
Rochdale Council owns 1,701 artworks but displays none of them. This follows the regeneration of its Touchstones museum.
The council launched a “lively” programme to take pieces to schools and local events. Sarah Hodgkinson, a senior curator, said this maintains engagement during the closure.
The net spend on museums across English councils fell by a fifth between 2017-18 and 2025-26 after adjusting for inflation. Councillor Mick Barton, chair of the Local Government Association’s culture committee, said financial pressures force councils to prioritize spending over discretionary services like museums.
Disposal of art is rare. Only 10 councils have disposed of items in the past six financial years.
Derbyshire sold 356 works in 2021-22 after closing its Schools Library Service. North Lincolnshire auctioned 22 pieces in 2023-24.
Most authorities focus on preservation. Mark Doyle, director of arts, heritage and wellness at Your Trust, said keeping items in storage is often necessary to prevent environmental damage.
A lot of people don’t understand what’s involved in looking after a collection and making sure that it’s there for future generations to be able to access and see.
Mark Doyle, director of arts, heritage and wellness at Your Trust
Doyle said: “Managing these collections requires resources to ensure they are preserved and available for public viewing in the years ahead.”
