Sir John Soane was one of the world's most famous neo-classical architects. He built and lived in a house in London which, when he died, he left to the nation. The result is a house museum that has National Museum status and - according to the terms in Sir John's will - has been kept as it was at the time of his death in 1837. Rebecca Hossain is  Director of Commercial and Operations.

The museum displays Soane's collection of antiquities, furniture, sculptures, architectural models, paintings – including work by Hogarth, Turner and Canaletto  – and over 30,000 architectural drawings. It’s a vast, extraordinary collection, full of curiosities and surprises.

In this episode of 'Arts & Culture', host Tom Dawson visits the museum and speaks to Rebecca Hossain about the unique challenges and opportunities that a house museum like this presents. We find out why red wine is forbidden at functions, why there are no labels or signs in the museum... and how a crucial decision made during lockdown has opened up the museum to a whole new generation of visitors.

There are also brilliant insights into strategising decades ahead and how the physical nature of a museum presents a unique chance to build loyalty and camaraderie amongst its staff.

For more information on the museum, visit soane.org

The Arts & Culture Podcast aims to seek out and share best practice and innovation from museums, galleries, heritage sites and beyond, all across the UK.

Host Tom Dawson is Director Of Digital for the Association for Cultural Enterprises.

https://culturalenterprises.org.uk/