Supporting Scotland's Museums and Galleries

Discover the wide range of opportunities and support available to the sector to help deliver the strategy for Scotland’s museums and galleries.

Explore the strategy

Meet our team

An adult with light skin and wavy shoulder-length brown hair stands next to a display of maritime objects. The display includes ship bells, a life rings, and a large sign with the text "Greenock Princes Pier".

Three large lighthouse lenses on display in a room with white walls and a blue floor. The glass bands of the lenses shine with white, yellow, and green light.

A group of children standing on a staircase and holding hand-painted placards which feature messages about political and social issues.

An adult in a black hoodie wears a VR headset and holds a controller whilst smiling. Behind him, a TV screen displays what the VR output.

Museums Galleries Scotland (MGS) is the national development body for Scotland’s museum sector. We support 455 museums and galleries through strategic investment, advice, workforce development, and advocacy.

Museum Futures

Museum Futures is a pioneering programme of funding and support which seeks to accelerate collaboration and innovation and embed organisational sustainability across the museum sector.

This programme, which is backed by £4 million of Scottish Government funding, was developed in partnership with the Scottish Government, Museums Galleries Scotland, and The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

An adult with long hair secured in a claw clip holds a baby in their arms while pointing up at a large globe that is suspended from a domed wooden ceiling.

455

Museums and Galleries

supported by us in Scotland

252

Accredited Museums

across Scotland meet the UK Museum Accreditation Standard

£1.7 million

In MGS Grants Funding

awarded to museums and galleries in 2024/25

72

MGS Learning Opportunities

provided to the sector in 2024/25

An adult with light skin and long straight brown hair holds a young child with light skin and plaited brown hair in their arms. The child is smiling and pointing to a panel covered in illustrations of British wildlife.

MGS launches national advocacy campaign ahead of 2026 Scottish Parliament election

MGS has launched a national advocacy campaign and is urging museums across the country to take part ahead of the 2026 Scottish Parliament election.

A group of adults engage in discussion while sitting and standing at a table. One of the adults writes on a large sheet of paper.

MGS recognised in SUSE’s Apt 30 initiative for inclusive employment

Museums Galleries Scotland is named as one of Scotland’s leading inclusive employers by SUSE (Scottish Union of Supported Employment) as part of their Apt 30 initiative.

2026 Election Advocacy Toolkit

As we approach the 2026 Scottish Parliament election, the impact of museums must be visible, valued, and understood by the people who shape national policy. This toolkit makes it simple for all museums to take part in the campaign, with practical tips and ready-to-use content.