The British Embassy on Wednesday organized a conference in Athens on the funding and sustainability of museums and cultural spaces.

The British ambassador and executives of the UK’s major museums and cultural bodies were among the speakers.

Greek Culture Minister Costas Tassoulas also addressed the conference and he referred to examples of cooperation between the public and private sector in Greece.

“The funding of museums and cultural spaces and bodies can no longer come exclusively from the state,” Tassoulas said.

“A new, successful mix of contributions to our culture is coming to us from abroad but also slowly being tested in our country with visible results. It is a mix of state funding, private-sector (sponsors) and the civil society that replaces and supplements exclusive state support and opens new paths, not just for resolving financing problems but also for promoting and highlighting cultural goods through the participation of citizens.” he said.

Mr. Tassoulas continued by saying “The British experience on this issue, thanks to the initiative of the British Embassy in Athens, is very useful. And this is because a meaningful dialogue on how the museums and cultural sites could stop depending solely on state funding and how they can plan their strategy to increase visitors throughout the year and generate revenue for their operation and employment of the staff”.