Across the world, the arts sector is under pressure. Limited funding, competing priorities and the perception that art is a luxury have left cultural institutions fighting for survival. But the arts are not optional; they are a cornerstone of education, health, tourism and community wellbeing.

The Bermuda National Gallery, located in Hamilton’s City Hall & Arts Centre, faces the same challenges as our local and international peers. Like most non-profits, we rely on community support to fund every aspect of our work — from mounting world-class exhibitions and developing education programmes to caring for the National Collection.

Why art matters

Communities that invest in culture enjoy richer economies and healthier societies. Studies show that museums contribute to tourism, strengthen education and even improve health — so much so that in some countries doctors prescribe museum visits to boost wellbeing. The arts are not a luxury; they are a necessity.

At BNG, we see this impact every day. For more than 30 years, we have presented exhibitions that inspire, challenge and connect. Our flagship exhibition, the Bermuda Biennial, has been a launch pad for local artists, giving them recognition and opportunities on the international stage.

One former Biennial artist said it “catapulted my career, placed me on an international stage, and also landed me my first solo exhibition”. Another said: “Now that I have this exposure, and with it a heightened sense of courage, I now call myself an artist and know in my bones that I can back it up.”

In 2024, we extended this platform to young people through the inaugural Junior Bermuda Biennial, giving artists aged 5 to 17 the same opportunity to participate in an internationally juried exhibition and share their creativity in a professional space.

Nurturing young minds

Art plays a critical role in childhood development. Research shows that young people who engage with the arts are more likely to succeed academically and less likely to engage in antisocial behaviour. They also develop skills — creativity, critical thinking, problem solving — that are increasingly valued in the modern workplace.

At BNG, we support this by offering free school tours, free activity booklets for every exhibition, and bursaries for our Art+Tech summer camp. In 2024 alone, we welcomed students from more than 20 schools, distributed 1,250 activity booklets and provided $12,000 in bursaries – ensuring more than half of our campers could attend with financial support.

The results speak for themselves: every young camper reported increased confidence, new skills in digital art, and familiarity with professional tools such as Procreate. For many, it was their first time engaging with art on this level.

Access for all

We believe art should be accessible to everyone. Thanks to the support of The Christian Humann Foundation, BNG is the only museum on the island offering free admission. Since launching the programme in 2023, visitor numbers have risen by nearly 80 per cent. In 2024, seven different exhibitions were on view and more than 11,400 people walked through our doors — proof of the demand for accessible cultural spaces.

Free access has allowed us to diversify our audience and welcome many first-time visitors, from schoolchildren to seniors to tourists. It ensures that no one is turned away because of cost and that art remains part of Bermuda’s shared cultural life.

Building community

Our impact is amplified because of our collaborations. It is at the heart of our work. We partner with schools, government departments, corporate supporters and community organisations such as the Kaleidoscope Arts Foundation and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bermuda. These partnerships expand our reach and ensure that the gallery is not just a place to view art, but a hub for community engagement.

A call to value the arts

As executive director of BNG, I see first-hand how transformative the arts can be. Exhibitions spark conversation. School tours ignite curiosity. Programmes such as Art+Tech give young people skills and confidence that last a lifetime. For three decades, BNG has nurtured artists, preserved Bermuda’s cultural heritage and opened doors to new ideas.

But this work depends on community support. To secure Bermuda’s cultural future, we must treat the arts not as optional, but as essential. That means valuing and supporting the institutions equipped to preserve our artistic heritage, nurture our artists and inspire the next generation.

• Jennifer Phillips is the executive director of the Bermuda National Gallery. To learn more, or to support BNG by becoming a member, volunteering or making a donation, please visitbng.bm. This op-ed is part of the Third Sector Spotlight Series, a collective campaign co-ordinated by the Non-Profit Alliance of Bermuda. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the value, impact and contributions of Bermuda’s non-profit sector