London Art Galleries Report Soar In Downturn

Visitor numbers at London art galleries and London museums hit record levels this summer as the recession led more people to holiday at home.

Half of all museums and galleries in Britain - and two thirds of the free national institutions in London - saw an increase in visitors, according to figures released today. A fifth saw a rise of at least 10 per cent.

Gallery shops and cafés enjoyed a corresponding rise in takings despite the downturn. More than half the national museums and galleries benefited from higher trading income.

The London galleries have escaped the worst of the funding cuts affecting local authority-run institutions, but two thirds have been badly hit by the fall in investment income.

Museums surveyed by The Art Fund charity said the cuts were hitting home just as running costs were climbing with 30 per cent spending more than the same period last year, thanks to rises in expenses such as utilities.

Forbidden London blog updated

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Royal Academy of Arts Exhibition

If you're in London between now and 11th December, and you are a fan of the London art scene, the Royal Academy of Arts is hosting Anish Kapoor's exhibition.

Expect paint splattered from cannons and art experts perusing the gallery, along with concrete sculptures and paint ball wars.

London Christmas Lights

This year, London will host a huge Dickensian Christmas celebration from November 3rd until January 5th.

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson has revealed that the world famous Christmas Lights on Regent Street and Oxford Street will, for the first time in history, not only be switched on simultaneously, but will share the same theme - 'Disney's A Christmas Carol'. At the same time, the City of London will join in the celebrations within the West End.