Progress on national strategy for sector

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Work to develop a national strategy for Scotland’s museums and galleries is well underway and has taken another step forward with the establishment of the Museum Strategy Group.

The group, which held its first meeting yesterday (4 July), brings together representatives from across the sector and will drive the development of the national strategy to help Scotland’s museums sector realise its full potential.

Next steps include consulting with the museums sector and making the necessary transitional arrangements as Museums Galleries Scotland moves to become the National Development Body for the sector.

Chair of the Museum Strategy Group, Fiona Ballantyne, said:
“We are working together to develop a strategy that will encompass the full spectrum of Scotland’s diverse museums and galleries sector. The strategy will, in essence, be a framework that celebrates and capitalises on this diversity.”

“The development of the strategy comes at a time when we have great changes affecting all parts of society. It makes sense that the sector works together to explore how we can move in a a new, more sustainable direction and consultations with the sector this summer and autumn will tap into this way of thinking. Together we can work to harness the potential of the sector and provide real opportunities for museums and galleries the length and breadth of Scotland to realise their ambitions during these challenging economic times and beyond.”

The Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop, said: “I welcome the formation of the Museum Strategy Group. This is another step towards building greater cohesion and stronger partnerships across the museums sector.”

“We recognise the significance of museums and galleries to our nation. That is why having a strategy that fosters innovative and enterprising activity to secure the sector’s sustainable future is so important. I am pleased with the work undertaken to date on the national strategy and I look forward to seeing the continuing work unfold over the coming months.”

BOP Consulting were recently commissioned by Museums Galleries Scotland to undertake the consultation work. Engagement with the museum and gallery sector has commenced and will continue to August. This will include discussions that explore the role of museums today and how the sector measures its impact on society and the economy.

A public consultation will launch at Museums Galleries Scotland’s Collaborating to Compete conference in September.

The aim of the consultations is to hear a wide range of views, from within and outside the sector. There will be a range of ways to participate including on-line surveys, group events and one-to-one meetings.

The Museum Strategy Group members are: Fiona Ballantyne (Chair), Chair of Museums Galleries Scotland; Lynne Halfpenny, City of Edinburgh Council; John Leighton, National Galleries Scotland; Bridget McConnell, Glasgow Life; Joanne Orr, Museums Galleries Scotland; Gill Poulter, Dundee Heritage Trust; Gordon Rintoul, National Museums Scotland; Carole Robinson, Scottish Government; David Seers, Scottish Government; Rachel Skene, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Peter Stott, Falkirk Community Trust Limited.

Read more on our Developing a National Strategy pages

This release has been issued by Museums Galleries Scotland on behalf of the Museum Strategy Group.
Press enquiries can be directed to our Communications Manager

Published
5th Jul 2011

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