A £150m investment in regional museums has been credited with increasing visitor numbers by 5% in three years.
Culture minister David Lammy also praised the 7% rise in visitors from "non-traditional backgrounds" who have attended local museums since 2002-03.
In addition, the first stage of the Renaissance in the Regions scheme will create 580 posts in the sector by 2008.
"The renaissance of our great regional museums and galleries is clearly under way," said Mr Lammy.
The past three years have seen an increase of nearly 19% in the number of school groups attending regional museums.
'Sense of belonging'
Mr Lammy added: "We want everyone to value museums because they offer services and experiences that make people's lives richer.
"Good museums promote learning, a sense of belonging, creativity and economic regeneration."
The Renaissance programme was launched in 2002 by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council, working to improve regional museums by 2012.
Chairman Mark Wood said the investment was "enabling museums to provide more effective, higher quality services to reach larger numbers of people from more diverse backgrounds."
"The programme is preparing the way to make our museums the pride of the nation for 2012."
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