Museums Galleries Scotland Announces Development of Delivering Change Programme

The development of the Delivering Change programme by Museums Galleries Scotland (MGS) will support the sector to implement fully equitable, human-rights based approaches to represent previously unheard voices in Scottish museums.

This project will build on the recommendations developed as part of the Empire, Slavery & Scotland’s Museum project to support museums to promote cultural democracy and participation for all. The aim of the Delivering Change programme is to support between 70 and 100 museums from across Scotland. At the end of this project it is expected there will be clear changes in the ways in which participating museums work, especially around how they use participatory approaches to involve communities.

The programme funded so far begins with a development phase during which the delivery and actions will be determined by an expert advisory group working with a Programme Manager and an MGS-based project team. The expert advisory group members have lived and professional experience of inclusive participatory practices.

The project is aimed at supporting museums to work inclusively using a Human Rights Based Approach. This is an approach that ensures that people’s rights are put at the very centre of project planning and delivery and redresses discriminatory practises. It aims to empower all people in Scotland to participate freely in cultural life; to understand and explore their own culture and the cultures of others.

The project is currently funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund and Scottish Government for the development phase. Development phase funding is supporting work towards an application for a larger delivery grant which, if secured, will fund the full roll out of the project.

Lucy Casot, CEO of Museums Galleries Scotland said:

“We’re delighted to work with the expert advisory group to kick off the development phase of the Delivering Change programme. Through it we will support museums to work with all of their audiences and increase cultural democracy. Enhancing inclusive participation and increasing cultural democracy is a key part of our role as the national development body for museums and galleries in Scotland, as we build on our learning from the Empire, Slavery & Scotland’s Museums project.”

IMAGE: Past, Present, Potential displays the work of Perth High School’s LGBTQIA+ and ally group, PRISM. This community case was created by pupil steering group made up of young people from S1 through to S6. The display explored and promoted LGBTQIA+ culture, history, and heritage in Perth.