Tristram Hunt explains why museums are turning themselves inside out

By Tristram Hunt, director, V&A

“But where have you hidden all the other stuff?” This is the perennial question for museum directors, as we are accused of secretly stockpiling vast, unseen treasure troves. The truth is, in our hunger for audiences, we always want to put the best material on display, and as much of it as possible. Yet today’s visitors rightly demand ever more transparency and accountability around historic collections.