From the review of security concepts to a special museum security program and the use of glazing: Against the backdrop of the stolen gold treasure from the Celtic Roman Museum in Manching, Minister of Art Markus Blume launched a package of measures to protect cultural assets at the beginning of December
“The recent events are a wake-up call: we are dealing with a new generation of perpetrators. We are responding to this. The security concepts of museums throughout Bavaria, both public and private, must be put to the test immediately. That is why I immediately presented the Bavarian cabinet with a package of measures for the security of museums in Bavaria. One thing is clear: we secure and protect our cultural assets, but our museums must not be high-security wings in the future either. Our cultural heritage should not be hidden behind thick bulletproof glass per se, because we want low-threshold access to art and culture for everyone,” emphasized Art Minister Markus Blume at the beginning of December.
5-point package of measures to protect cultural assets in Bavaria
The package of measures aims to review existing security facilities and concepts in the state and non-state museum sector and to tighten them up where necessary. Funds of up to one million euros are to be made available in the 2023 budget for investment measures to protect cultural assets in state museums and collections.
Special program “Museum security”
For a special “Museum Security” program, funds of up to one million euros are to be made available from the Cultural Fund for non-state museums in 2023 and further funds for 2024. In addition, a coordination office is to be created at the State Office for Non-State Museums in Bavaria. Even if the encounter with the original is a decisive factor for the attractiveness of museums, museums should examine whether only some of the objects with a high material value should be exhibited or replaced by copies in individual cases. There are also plans to increase the use of glazing or hooded display cases to protect particularly valuable paintings or exhibits.