Accreditation

How can I prepare?

You can achieve Accreditation in 6 months if necessary but you will find the process easier and more rewarding if you start preparing your application before your invitation letter arrives.

12 months to submission

  • Read through the Accreditation Standard and Application Form.
  • Identify which areas need the most work and create an Action Plan
    • Common areas are:
      • Forward Plan
      • Documentation Plans and Procedures
      • Emergency Plan
      • Acquisition and Disposal Policy
      • Security Review
  • Highlight the areas of work to Curatorial Adviser and any areas you may require advice on.
  • Identify when trustee meetings will be held over the next 12 months – a signed minute from the governing body approving the Forward Plan and the Acquisition and Disposal Policy is a requirement of Accreditation.
  • Review Documentation procedures against Appendix 7 of the Accreditation Standard – put in place any outstanding procedures
  • Identify any relevant training events - see website section on How We Help Members to find out about Training.
  • Source any guidance materials available, see Resources and Information

At 8 months

  •  Contact MGS, Standards Manager to ask about any useful training opportunities

At 6 months

  • Review progress against Action plan
  • Update Curatorial Adviser on progress.
  • If desired, send draft of Forward Plan and Acquisition and Disposal Policy to Museums Galleries Scotland Standards Manager for comment before getting signed approval.

At 4 months

Check any documents that require signed approval have gone to the governing body to be approved.

At 2 months

  • Send draft application to Curatorial Adviser to read
  • If applicable, implement any changes recommended by Curatorial Adviser

At 1 month

  • Send the final application to Curatorial Adviser to read before signing the Declaration Form

6 months to submission

  • Read through the Accreditation Standard and Application Form.
  • Identify who is available to work on Accreditation over the 6 months. Accreditation works best if more than one person is involved in preparing the application.
  • Identify what other commitments those people have (eg. holidays, family events)
  • Create a list of all of the areas that require work for Accreditation and create an Action Plan
    • Common areas are:
      • Forward Plan
      • Documentation Plans and Procedures
      • Emergency Plan
      • Acquisition and Disposal Policy
      • Security Review
  • Highlight the areas of work to Curatorial Adviser and any areas you may require advice on.
  • Identify when trustee meetings will be held over the next 6 months – a signed minute from the governing body approving the Forward Plan and the Acquisition and Disposal Policy is a requirement of Accreditation.
  • Review Documentation procedures against Appendix 7 of the Accreditation Standard – put in place any outstanding procedures
  • Identify any relevant training events - see website section on How We Help Members to find out about Training.
  • Source any guidance materials available, see Resources and Information

At 4 months

  • Update Curatorial Adviser on progress.
  • Check any documents that require signed approval have gone to the governing body to be approved.
  • If desired, send draft of Forward Plan and Acquisition and Disposal Policy to Museums Galleries Scotland Standards Manager for comment before getting signed approval. 

At 6 weeks

  • Send draft application to Curatorial Adviser to read
  • If applicable, implement any changes recommended by Curatorial Adviser

At 2 weeks

  • Send the final application to Curatorial Adviser to read before signing the Declaration Form