Hastings Museum & Art Gallery Business Plan Aug 2026

Proposed · This went to the meeting on Mon 14 Sep 2026. What was decided is in that meeting's minutes.

This is the draft Hastings Museum & Art Gallery Business Plan for 2026-2030, setting out a vision for the museum to strengthen its relevance, resilience and impact through high-quality programming, inclusive engagement, strong partnerships and a sustainable financial model. p1p2p3

The plan reports that visitor numbers increased from 33,662 in 2024-25 to 37,510 in 2025-26, an increase of 3,848 visitors, and projects a further increase to 40,500 in 2026-27 and 52,500 by 2029-30. p105p106

The plan sets out a financial model in which earned income is projected to rise from £42,729 in 2026-27 to £50,000 in 2029-30, and operating costs are projected to rise from £472,542 to £554,794 over the same period. p116p117

The museum has 7.1 full-time equivalent core-funded posts, with an additional 2.5 full-time equivalent externally funded posts. p94

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• p1Hastings Museum & Art Gallery Business Plan (Draft)
• p2Plan period: 2026–2030 Purpose: To articulate a clear, sustainable and ambitious vision for Hastings Museum & Art Gallery, aligned with priorities of the community it serves, striving to exceed national cultural standards alongside the museum’s civic role.
• p31. Executive Summary Hastings Museum & Art Gallery is a local museum with a global collection, serving local communities while welcoming regional, national and international visitors. As one of the town's principal cultural institutions, the museum plays a vital role in preserving and sharing Hastings' unique heritage, supporting creativity and learning, and contributing to the social, cultural and economic wellbeing of the town. This Business Plan sets out how the museum will strengthen its relevance, resilience and impact between 2026 and 2030 through high-quality programming, inclusive engagement, strong partnerships and a sustainable financial model. It also provides a framework for exploring the museum's future development in the context of Local Government Reorganisation, recognising the opportunities this presents to strengthen strategic partnerships, demonstrate value across a wider geography, and reinforce the museum's role as a cultural anchor institution. This Business Plan also explores some of the recommendations identified through the ACE funded Options Appraisal between HMAG, Towner and Hastings Contemporary for closer working and strategic collaboration.
• p948. Resources People The museum has 7.1 full time equivalent (FTE) core-funded posts with an additional 2.5 FTE externally funded posts. The museum’s human resources, both paid and volunteer, are central to achieving the aims of this business plan. We are committed to continuing to develop our volunteer programme. We aim to improve progression for project participants into intern and volunteer roles that maintains our relationship with communities over the longer period. We will regularly review staƯ structures and our volunteer oƯer and make improvements as necessary to help in the delivery of this business plan. Recommended development outlined in the delivery plan includes the need for a core funded role focussing on museum development and fundraising as well as further learning staƯ support.
• p1059.1 Visitor Analysis and Growth Modelling Hastings Museum & Art Gallery has demonstrated positive visitor growth in recent years. Visitor numbers increased from 33,662 in 2024–25 to 37,510 in 2025–26, representing an increase of 3,848 visitors, or 11.4% in one year. The Business Plan builds on this recent growth but takes a deliberately measured approach to future projections. Visitor numbers are projected to increase to 40,500 in 2026–27 and 52,500 by 2029–30.
• p106Year Actual/Projected Visitors Annual Change % change 2024 - 25 33,662 - - 2025 – 26 37,510 +3848 +11.4% 2026 – 27 40,500 +2990 +8.0% 2027 – 28 44,500 +4000 +9.9% 2028 - 29 49,000 +4500 +10.1% 2029 - 30 52,500 +3500 +7.1%
• p11610. Financial 2026-27 2027-28 2028-29 2029 - 2030 Earned Income -£42,729 -£45,000 -£48000 -£50,000 Grant Funding £-160,036 -160,036 -£165,000* -£165,000* *Estimated 3% increase in NPO funding assumed
• p117Expenditure StaƯing £333,852 £394,000 £400,000 £405,000 Building £75,493 £77, 456 £79,470 £81,537 Supplies & Services £63,197 £64,841 £66,527 £68,257 Operating Cost £472,542 £536,297 £545,997 £554,794