Funding awarded to 12 of Scotland’s top collections

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Funded by the Scottish Government and managed by Museums Galleries Scotland, the Recognition Scheme ensures important collections are identified, cared for, protected and promoted to a wider audience. Recognition funding is awarded to projects that increase access to Recognised collections. To be successful applicants must demonstrate ‘excellence’ by undertaking an innovative, cutting edge project, achieving or embedding best practice and improving the long-term sustainability of the Recognised Collection through the proposed project.

Just one example of the successful projects to receive Recognition funding is a Virtual Curator project undertaken by Dundee Heritage Trust. An internet based interpretation tool for the collections which combines on-line database access with several unique ideas that take the website to a new level including filmed lectures describing individual objects and a blog/discussion forum, the multimedia project will result in an interactive focusing on the men of RRS Discovery, covering daily life on an Antarctic expedition.

Joanne Orr, CEO of the Museums Galleries Scotland, said:
“We are already seeing the beneficial impact that Recognition funding has had on improving the visitor experience to Scotland’s most important museum and gallery collections. The Recognition Scheme is providing us with wonderful opportunities to explore, interpret and enjoy our Recognised Collections of National Significance in new ways.”

Douglas Connell, Chair of the Recognition Committee, which oversees the Recognition of collections of national significance, said:
“To achieve Recognition status, the applicants had to demonstrate the uniqueness, authenticity, comprehensiveness, and national value of their collection. It is wonderful that the Recognition fund is enabling carers of Recognised Collections to undertake projects such as increasing accessibility to their collections and improving how they are cared for.”

The twelve projects to be awarded funding in this round are:
Aberdeenshire Council – £40,000
Auchindrain Museum Trust – £40,000
City of Glasgow Council – £40,000
Dundee City Council – £39,812
Dundee Heritage Trust – £39,973
Orkney Islands Council – £40,000
Pier Arts Centre – £15,750
Royal Scottish Academy – £31,700
University of Aberdeen – £40,000
University of Edinburgh – £39,571
University of Glasgow – £39,323
University of St Andrews – £40,000

Eithne Ní Chonghaile
Communications Manager (PR & Events)
Museums Galleries Scotland
Email: eithnenc@museumsgalleriesscotland.org.uk
Phone: 0131 550 4123

Published
2nd Apr 2009

Region
National

Publisher
MGS