Even though Scottish voters strongly opposed Brexit in the June referendum, they will still have to face the consequences of Britain’s exit from the European Union. John Leighton, the director-general of the National Galleries of Scotland, spoke for many when he expressed “concerns” over the UK vote. “It will be vital for us to promote our culture with confidence and ambition, and to continue to demonstrate how the arts can transcend politics and boundaries to link us with the wider world,” he says. In the short term, the main danger for Scottish museums is a downturn in the economy, triggering cuts in government funding and commercial sponsorship; the long-term impact will depend partly on the terms of exit negotiated. Scottish institutions, many of which have strong international loan programmes and rely on international visitors, are also concerned about how changes to European regulations and grant arrangements will affect them.
