Museums Galleries Scotland secure £750k Capital Funding for Recognised Collections

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Museums Galleries Scotland, the membership body and national voice of Scotland’s museums and galleries, has secured £750K of Capital Funding from the Scottish Government. The funding will specifically benefit museums and galleries that care for Recognised Collections of National Significance.

There are currently 36 Recognised Collections of National Significance across Scotland – in museums and galleries run by local authorities, universities and independent trusts – that are eligible for this funding.

Joanne Orr, Chief Executive of Museums Galleries Scotland, said:

“Major milestones from Scotland’s history are celebrated through the Recognised Collections. This funding will improve the visitor experience at these museums and galleries today and will also preserve our most important collections for the future people of Scotland.”

Minister for Culture and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop said:

“From the Highlands to the Borders, museums and galleries play a tremendously important role in supporting tourism and the country’s economy. They are of educational and social value to local people and to all the people of Scotland.

“The Recognition Scheme ensures there are additional resources available for some of the most important collections held in Scotland. This additional capital funding will contribute to improving visitors’ experience and developing excellence in these internationally important collections.”

The Recognised Collections contain items and objects which have influenced Scotland as a nation or show how Scotland and its people have influenced the rest of the world. Across topics including natural history, fashion, maritime, engineering, literature, fine and contemporary art, they demonstrate the richness of Scotland’s culture.

Across the Recognised Collections, there are familiar names of world famous artists to smaller pieces, which may have been crafted by a mysterious individual 5,000 years ago; fine art by Monet and Toulouse-Lautrec to contemporary pieces by Damien Hirst, and impressive Roman hoards, to grave pieces from a Viking boat burial.

The Collections also contain examples of exquisite crafting in silverware and clothing. Children may be fascinated by toys and games that their counterparts would have played with hundreds of years ago. Personal possessions of Scotland’s national poet Robert Burns and editions of his works are also a feature.

Museums Galleries Scotland estimate that Scotland’s museums and galleries welcome an estimated 25.3 million visitors per year, generating £800 million to the economy.

Eligible organisations will be making their applications for funding to Museums Galleries Scotland over the coming weeks, with announcements on awards in Spring 2010.

- ENDS –

NOTES TO EDITORS
• Museums Galleries Scotland provides funding, specialist knowledge and advice to over 350 museums across the nation to ensure that communities have museums they can be part of and proud of.
• Museums Galleries Scotland manages the Recognition Scheme on behalf of the Scottish Government. The Scheme aims to identify, and subsequently support, collections of national significance held in Scotland’s museums and galleries.

Press Contact Communications Manager

For further information on the Recognition Scheme and the Recognised Collections of National Significance

Published
20th Jan 2010

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