The Jewish Museum in Camden is to close indefinitely after years of mounting financial losses.
Despite being a leading cultural centre in the capital, trustees of the museum said the institution has faced rising costs which has prevented the production of temporary exhibitions.
It hopes to use the money raised from selling the Camden site to fund a move to a new, more suitable location.
The museum was closed during the pandemic and last November was awarded National Portfolio Organisation status by Arts Council England, which secured £224,000 in annual funding until 2026.
The Arts Council also gave the institution a £1million bailout in May 2020.
Despite the funding, the museum will now sell the grade II listed Georgian town house in Albert Street in order to move to a new property.
Nick Viner, Chair of Jewish Museum London, said: “As we approach our centenary, Jewish Museum London is at a crossroads. We have an extraordinary opportunity to re-envisage the museum for the future.
“We are deeply grateful for the commitment and generosity of countless people who have made the site at Albert Street a home to ground-breaking exhibitions and our award-winning education programme.
“Our decision to sell the current building is not taken lightly, but as trustees it’s our responsibility to consider the longer-term sustainability of the museum.”
Mr Viner also founded the JW3 Jewish Cultural Centre on Finchley Road, with chief executive of the centre, Ray Simonson, claiming the loss of the museum was a “sad day for the community”.
Collections, which includes a 13th-century mikvah, a recreation of a Jewish East End street, the testimonies of Holocaust survivors, a 17th-century Venetian synagogue Ark, from the now move to specialised storage.
There is hope that some of the collection will be put into temporary premises for exhibitions until a new home is found.
Georgia Gould, Leader of Camden Council said: ‘‘Jewish Museum London is a nationally important institution with its roots in Camden.
“At a time of rising antisemitism its significance cannot be overstated.
“The museum’s work in education, exhibitions, dialogue and as a definitive archive of Jewish life makes an extraordinary contribution to London and beyond.”
