Arts minister Estelle Morris has said that too many of the nation’s historical artefacts are hidden from public view and should be shared with other institutions.

In a consultation paper launched on 27 January, the minister said thousands of high-quality works belonging to major museums are not on regular display, while other museums are desperate for new items.

“We want to see the cultural centre of gravity start to move from the capital,” said Morris.

“The best of our culture should be accessible to all, no matter where they live. Large parts of the collections of some of the major London institutions are rarely seen by the public.”

The paper, Understanding the Future: Museums and 21st Century Life, also includes plans to modernise the museums’ workforce through staff development, interchange with other sectors and strengthening career progression and diversity.

It also calls for the sector to ‘speak consistently with one voice, to help them punch their weight in public life’.

“Like so many institutions in a changing – and shrinking – world, it makes good sense for museums to look again at where they have got to and where they want to go,” said Morris.