The Association of Independent Museums (AIM) wants to help diversify visitors to UK museums, with the organisation introducing a new project looking at socio-economic and protected characteristics of diversity within a museum setting.

Led by AIM in partnership with a steering group comprised of Arts Council England (ACE), the Museums Association (MA), Museums Galleries Scotland, National Museums Northern Ireland and the Welsh Government, the project will look to provide tools and guidance to help museums make long-term changes in an effort to diversify their audiences.

“Increasing the diversity of their visitors is one of the aims of many museums,” said a statement from AIM.

“It directly relates to the core purpose of museums, as well as offering the opportunity to support museums’ sustainability. Whilst there have been previous studies in the museum and related sectors, progress towards this goal has been limited for the majority.”

It is hoped the research will enable museums to better understand the barriers to some audiences visiting museums and enable organisations to overcome any internal barriers that prevent them from diversifying their audiences.

AIM is now seeking a consultant to manage the UK-wide project, with the results to be presented in October.