MGS urges sustained investment in 2026-27 Budget to safeguard sector’s future

MGS has called on politicians to commit to multi-year funding, increased capital investment, and a fair share of culture funding in our response to the Scottish Parliament’s Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee’s pre-budget scrutiny for 2026-27.

Lucy Casot, CEO of Museums Galleries Scotland, said:
“Scotland’s museums and galleries are more than keepers of our national treasures – they are a force for public good, deeply embedded in our communities, and a powerful driver of cultural, social, and economic value. But behind the scenes, the sector continues to grapple with rising costs and insufficient funding models. Without sustained investment and clear strategic support, the challenges facing the sector will never be far from the surface.”

We are asking for:

• A commitment to multi-year funding to enable strategic planning, innovation, and staff retention.
• Assurance that museums and galleries receive a proportionate share of any culture funding uplift.
• The provision of regular, increased capital investment to protect collections, improve accessibility, and meet environmental targets.
• Sustained and expanded funding for the Museum Futures programme, to support collaboration, innovation, and organisational sustainability.

Highlighting the early enthusiasm for support from the Museum Futures programme, Lucy said:
“The strength of the sector’s immediate response shows it is meeting their needs. It is essential this investment is maintained and expanded into the 2026-27 budget and beyond in order to address the serious challenges the sector is experiencing.”

We also highlight the role of museums in delivering on cross-government priorities, from tackling health inequalities and boosting education outcomes to inspiring climate action. In our submission, we warn that without long-term investment, services will be reduced and public access to cultural benefits will diminish.

“If enabled, Scotland’s museums can be a cornerstone of a fairer, healthier, greener nation – delivering cultural enrichment and real public value,” Lucy added. “They are ready to play their full part in building a sustainable future. With targeted investment and the right political will, museums and galleries can thrive and help Scotland to do the same.”

We encourage organisations to reach out to us to discuss any challenges you are currently facing. You can contact us by email.