Museums across the country are to receive millions in funding to transform them into ‘sustainable and resilient businesses’, at a time when investment in the arts is decreasing.

Arts Council England yesterday announced that 94 museums and organisations will receive a total of £12,271,676 in the second round of the Museum Resilience Fund.

‘The focus of our investment approach for museums in 2015-18 is on building a more resilient sector,’ John Orna-Ornstein, director of museums at Arts Council England, said.

‘The Museum Resilience Fund is a key part of that, providing vital support to museums right across the country.’

The announcement follows the recent publication of the Arts Council’s Funding Arts and Culture in an Age of Austerity which revealed investment in arts and culture by local authorities has fallen by £236m since 2010.

One of the recipients of the Museum Resilience Fund cash is Wirral’s Port Sunlight Museum, which has been awarded £170,000. It is run by a Village Trust and will involve local residents more in its work by creating a new residents’ hub facility.

A ‘Happy Museum’ initiative will also receive £182,000. Overseen by People United, this initiative will engage around 20 museums and it will combine thinking and practical action around sustainability and wellbeing.

Karen Bradley, secretary of state for culture, media and sport, said: ‘We have a world-leading museums sector that protects and preserves our history, while also attracting millions of visitors every year.

‘We want our museums to continue to thrive and this important fund will help them become more resilient and sustainable in the years to come.’

In the last two rounds the Arts Council has awarded museums £30m through the Museum Resilience Fund.