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Evaluation and impact of 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 was developed in partnership with the Scottish Government, Museums Galleries Scotland, and The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

As Museum Futures is a new and different approach to supporting the sector, it’s vital that the programme is evaluated.

Two adults hoist a large purple flag bearing the text "Museum Futures" up from the rigging of a ship.

The ongoing evaluation has two main outcomes: 

  • It will enable us to identify learning from the programme. This includes any aspects that are working well and areas that could be improved.
  • It will demonstrate the impact that the programme is having on the participating museum organisations.

The programme evaluation is being undertaken by Social Value Lab.

You can follow our Museum Futures evaluation journey below

Inception Report

Inception Report

Our Inception Report sets out more detail on the approach that was proposed for the first phase of the Museum Futures evaluation.

Early Insights Report

Early Insights Report

Our Early Insights Report provided an initial view of how Museum Futures was developing, the conditions shaping delivery, and the emerging patterns in engagement and organisational response.

Year 1 Evaluation Report

Year One Evaluation Report

This interim report covers the first eight months of delivery, from the programme’s launch in July 2025 to April 2026. It describes signals of early progress rather than offering summative findings.

Find out more about Museum Futures

Find out more
A group of seven adults are standing aboard a ship. A large mast is standing tall behind them with a purple flag attached that reads 'Museum Futures'. A large grey building with an angular roof is also in the background.
News
Culture Secretary celebrates year one success of Museum Futures programme
During her visit to the Tall Ship, Màiri McAllan unveiled the first-year evaluation report of the Museum Futures Programme, which has provided £3.5 million in funding to 58 organisations through 94 grants since its launch in July 2025.
An adult with light skin tone and short grey hair. They are wearing a green knitted jumper and orange lanyard. They are pointing at a large screen with a black and white planning map of Dundee displayed on it.
Blog Article
Reflections on the Museum Futures programme interim evaluation report
Gillian Simison, Head of Museum Development at MGS, shares her reflections on the first year of Museum Futures, the key findings from the interim evaluation, and what comes next as the programme moves into year two.
Four adults stand together smiling. They have light skin, one has curly brown hair pulled back, two have medium length blonde hair and one has very short brown hair. Behind them, a pink and purple pull-up banner with the title 'Museum Futures'
Blog Article
Looking back, moving forward: the first year of Museum Futures
In this blog, Markus Offer, Senior Capacity Programme Manager, shares his reflections on the first year of the Museum Futures programme as we look forward to year two.