Case Studies
Learn from and be inspired by some of the amazing work being undertaken by museums and galleries across Scotland, through our case studies.

Dressed For Success: a Step Change for the Dress History Collection at Museums & Galleries Edinburgh
The Museums & Galleries Edinburgh team talk about the impact of their Dressed For Success project, funded by Museums Galleries Scotland.

Preserving Pasts, Imagining Futures: National Galleries of Scotland & National Library of Scotland
Ahead of the UN Climate Summit COP26, National Galleries of Scotland (NGS) and the National Library of Scotland (NLS) partnered for an engagement project to connect Scottish audiences with the event being held in Glasgow in November 2021.

Environmental Sustainability: Dundee Museum of Transport
Dundee Museum of Transport, by adopting a sustainable agenda, hopes to become Europe’s first fully carbon neutral transport museum. With the exhibitions reflecting sustainable transport, and a net zero target for the operations of the museum and the building itself, they strive to find ways to implement environmentally responsible practice in everything they do.

Environmental Sustainability: Robert Burns Birthplace Museum
This case study is about:
By adopting a sustainable agenda, it has been possible for the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum to create a state-of-the-art, award-winning museum which successfully balances conservation needs alongside environmental needs, ultimately creating a better space for its collections, and its visitors

Glasgow Women's Library's Collections Volunteering Programme
This case study is about:
Developing the capacity, skills, and knowledge of GWL’s volunteers in response to an increase in visitors to the library and its collections.
You should read it if:
You are interested in empowering a diverse workforce, including volunteers, to increase their skills and potential.

Pilot Apprenticeship Scheme: The Scottish Crannog Centre
The key to The Scottish Crannog Centre is the belief that only by having a diverse Crannog Community can they best engage with diverse audiences. Director, Mike Benson, reflects on their pilot for a long-term apprenticeship programme, as part of their commitment to building an environment for success.

Creative & Digital Media Foundation Apprenticeship
The Scottish Creative Economy is booming with excellent opportunities for careers across creative industries. The Foundation Apprenticeship in Media gives pupils the opportunities to develop a range of practical and soft skills to prepare for work or further study within the sector. The team at Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum reflect on their time with foundation apprentices.

Kickstart Scheme at Chapter House Museum & Dunkeld Community Archive
Thanks to funding from the UK Government’s Kickstart scheme, museums and galleries across Scotland were able to offer a range of work placements to young jobseekers. Ruth Brown, manager of the Chapter House Museum Trust in Dunkeld, describes how four Kickstarters developed projects which boosted their skills and benefitted the organisation.

Vagrant Boat Restoration at the Scottish Maritime Museum
With funding from Museums Galleries Scotland, the Scottish Maritime Museum embarked on an ambitious project to restore Vagrant, a 19th century racing yacht. Boat building manager Martin Hughes explains how this restoration created new training opportunities and succeeded in revitalising a traditional craft.

Working and Learning with a Kickstart Employee at the Museum of Lead Mining
The Kickstart Scheme (2021- 2022) highlighted the need to support youth employability with high quality work experience. In this case study the Museum of Lead Mining and Kickstart employee Calum share their experiences of youth employment.

Documenting Collections at Leisure and Culture Dundee
This Case Study is About:
Underpinning the foundations of a collection by bringing together over 150 years’ worth of dispersed information on a digital database.
You should read it if:
You are interested in ensuring the longevity of a collection by raising standards in collections care and management.

Sharing the Creativity of Celtic Art Through the George Bain Collection: Groam House Museum
This project developed from a desire to share the George Bain Collection of Celtic art with creative practitioners to broaden the collection’s reach and to create new understandings of George Bain’s work and its contemporary role.