Imperial War Museum splashing over over £100,000 on bringing diversity into historic exhibits
THE Imperial War Museum is splashing more than £100,000 on “embedding diversity” in its historic exhibits.
Britain’s leading military museum is to stump up the six-figure sum after asking equality and inclusion specialists to submit bids for consultancy work last month.
The year-long contract across the IWM’s six UK sites, including the iconic Churchill War Rooms, could see wartime artefacts given a woke rebrand.
Last year, the museum’s equality strategy document said it would “ensure that our audiences are aware of the global impact of war.”
It added that all wartime artefacts should “reflect the diversity of our local communities and the nation as a whole.”
The document continued: “We will continue to engage with audiences through conversations that ask difficult questions, facilitate debate, and encourage exploration.
“IWM has a strong part to play in telling stories that help the public understand our past so we can make sense of our present and shape our future.”
It is understood the contract will also include inclusivity training courses for staff.
The museum is handed an annual Government grant worth around £30m, with public donations and museum revenues also boosting its coffers.
The IWM is visited by more than two million people – making it the most-visited war museum in the world.
It houses a dozen Spitfire planes as well as tanks, missiles and historic Army, Navy and RAF uniforms.
Former Armed Forces minister Mark Francois fumed last night: “How on earth do you ensure the diversity of a Spitfire?
“The Imperial War Museum plays an important part in our national life and commemorating the sacrifices that were made, so that we can remain a free country.
“Bluntly it should be more about service and weaponry than wokery.”
In 2021 the museum was forced to apologise itself after commissioning a “woke” Remembrance Sunday rap that attacked heroic wartime PM Winston Churchill.
An IWM spokeswoman said: “Imperial War Museums is looking to gain a better understanding of the challenges facing the organisation in creating a culture that is fully inclusive, equitable and welcoming of everyone, for the benefit of visitors, staff and volunteers.
“As is best practice with work of this nature, we are looking for expert external support with the development of sensible and practical initiatives to address these challenges.
“This work will result in IWM being more reflective of the communities represented in our collections, our stories, and our society.”