£4 million programme to encourage new approaches and
collaboration across the museum sector.
Museums are being encouraged to sign up for a new partnership
programme to strengthen and sustain their role as the stewards of
Scotland's cultural heritage.
Developed in partnership by the Scottish Government, Museums
Galleries Scotland and The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the £4
million Museum Futures programme will offer funding and support
to transform how museums and galleries operate by enabling them
to collaborate and test new ways of working. The funding was
announced by First Minister ahead of a visit to the Museum
of Childhood in Edinburgh.
Museums will be able to access two funding channels – an open
fund focused on building leadership capacity and organisational
change, and a targeted fund that will support the testing of
collaborative and place-based approaches, focused on the needs of
communities, as well as organisations with common issues who
would benefit from working together.
Beyond financial support, participating museums will also benefit
from skills development, professional mentoring and specialist
advice delivered by trusted partners across Scotland. This
includes a new Organisational Health Check tool, developed by
Museums Galleries Scotland, to help museums identify their
strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities and allow them to make
informed decisions regarding priorities and funding.
The First Minister said:
“Museums are the stewards of our cultural heritage, preserving
the objects and artworks that have shaped Scotland, from its
earliest beginnings to the latest trends.
“Local museums in particular are responsible for bringing the
stories behind their communities to life, and the Museum Futures
programme aims to give them a solid foundation to build on by
helping organisations innovate, collaborate and adapt. I know
some are already early adopters of new ways of working and this
programme will encourage more of that through the sharing of
ideas, practical advice and funding to enable them to test new
approaches that will stand the test of time.
“This programme and the £4 million funding behind it reflects the
Scottish Government's commitment to ensure our museums flourish,
having heard the sector's voices on the challenges they are
currently facing loud and clear. I would strongly encourage
anyone who might be eligible to consider how they could secure
their part of Scotland's story with this funding and support.”
Lucy Casot, Chief Executive of Museums Galleries Scotland said:
“Museum Futures takes a progressive new approach to sector
investment and development allowing us to imagine and test what a
strong museum sector could look like. It provides capacity to
explore how the sector can adapt to meet current and future
challenges while removing some of the risks of trying something
new. It gives museums a chance to plan for long term
sustainability instead of just getting through another year.
Museum Futures recognises the hard journey that our sector has
had and seeks to offer a positive way to address barriers and
support change.
“This is a momentous opportunity for Scotland's museums and I
would like to thank our partners and sector colleagues who have
shaped and will continue to develop this new programme.”
Caroline Clark, The National Lottery Heritage Fund Director for
Scotland said:
“Since the launch of the Heritage Fund some thirty years ago we
have worked closely with Scotland's museum sector and thanks to
National Lottery players we have supported museums of every size
and style in every part of the country.
“As the largest funder for the UK's heritage our knowledge and
experience has helped shape the Museum Futures programme. We now
look forward to supporting it in delivery and continuing to be a
key funder, project partner and supporter for a resilient,
creative and collaborative museum sector in
Scotland.”
Background
For more information, see: https://www.museumsgalleriesscotland.org.uk/museum-futures/
A 2024 survey conducted by MGS and DC Research revealed that 11%
of respondents reported that their organisation could be at risk
of closure within the next year.
Museum Futures offers an opportunity to develop and build on new
ways of working that some museums are already starting to
explore. Examples of this include:
Scottish Maritime Museum, which has become a valued community
asset by using its space to host regular makers' markets and
crafting workshops with local artists. The museum has also
established strong links with new audiences through its recent
co-produced exhibition with the North Ayrshire Ukrainian
Community, which provided a creative outlet for Ukrainians who
are now living locally due to the war in their home country.
Part funded by the MGS Recovery and Resilience Fund, Stirling
Art Gallery and Museum opened a
biodiversity community garden on their grounds, offering visitors
a space to enjoy the outdoors while supporting wildlife and
showcasing various Scottish habitats. An events cabin was added
in 2021, which has attracted new audiences and provided more
opportunities for income generation.
Grantown Museum created a new income stream by harnessing their
skills to create a unique dressing and photography experience.
‘Adventure in costume' is an MGS-funded initiative that offers
visitors the opportunity to try on handmade replica gowns while
learning about 18th century fashion. The experience also includes
a photo and video package.
