In the wake of recent challenges facing the British Museum, its newly appointed director, Nicholas Cullinan, is pledging significant changes. Cullinan, who previously led London’s National Portrait Gallery, took the helm in June, succeeding interim director Mark Jones.
“I’m going to lead the biggest transformation of any museum in the world,” Cullinan stated in an interview with The Times. His mandate includes not only restoring the museum’s tarnished reputation but also managing a $1.3 billion masterplan that encompasses a digital overhaul and renovations to its extensive collection of 3,500 rooms and galleries.
The museum initiated an independent security review in 2023 following the theft of approximately 2,000 items from its collection. The institution has launched a lawsuit against its former curator, Peter Higgs, whom they hold responsible for the thefts. Higgs, dismissed in July of last year, denies any wrongdoing. The previous director, Hartwig Fischer, resigned shortly thereafter, acknowledging that the museum’s response to the situation was inadequate. Among the stolen items were gold jewelry, gems, and ancient glass, many of which have since been recovered.
Cullinan remarked on the closure of the case: “Lessons have been learnt and clear action taken. The decision to digitize the whole collection, all eight million items, is obviously a big part of that.”
The controversies surrounding the museum did not cease there. In late 2023, the museum’s trustees, led by former UK Chancellor George Osborne, accepted a $65 million donation from oil giant BP, which drew sharp criticism from activists who deemed the move “astonishingly out of touch.”
Having overseen a $55 million refurbishment at the National Portrait Gallery, Cullinan previously cut ties with BP during his tenure there. However, he seems less inclined to sever ties in his current role.
“There are two criteria against which you weigh up donations,” he explained. “One is: will accepting it cause us reputational damage? I think you have to have very good, clear reasons for turning down money that would help to keep the British Museum free to the public. Free admissions is one big reason why I have stayed in this country. It makes our museums very special.” Cullinan further stated, “That said, it doesn’t mean museums should be constantly thinking about how to earn income and be as self-sufficient as possible. But they already are doing that. Most museums are funded primarily by themselves, not the taxpayer.”