Museums Galleries Scotland Announces Funding Changes
Today Museums Galleries Scotland (MGS) announce three changes to their grants programme as a development of their responsive grants system in order to further support the sector.
After listening to sector feedback on the barriers to applying for project funding, MGS have removed the 25% match funding requirement from the Museums Development Fund and from the Festivals Fund. This means that museums will be able to apply for 100% funding from any of MGS grant streams if they need to. The match funding requirement for the Small Project Fund was removed in 2019. To ensure that MGS funds can benefit as many projects as possible, organisational and match funding will still be welcomed wherever possible. Therefore, applicants will be asked to layout their reasons for requesting 100% funding from the Museum Development Fund.
The upper limit available for the Small Project Fund has increased from £5,000 to £10,000 in order to reflect the inflation of project costs in recent years.
The name of the Purchase Fund has changed to the Equipment Fund to better outline the purpose of this fund.
Lucy Casot, CEO Museums Galleries Scotland, said:
“Museums and galleries in Scotland have continued to deliver innovative and diverse projects throughout challenging times. They have maintained their place as a significant and responsive resource for their communities and visitors. To further our support of them we have responded to the sector’s need to remove barriers for funding projects. We encourage museums to get in touch to discuss funding options for projects they are considering.”
Museums can get in touch with the Grants Team to discuss potential applications at any time. Contact Gillian Simison or Nick Wong on 0131 550 4115 or at investment@museumsgalleriesscotland.org.uk. There are also scheduled surgeries where applicants can book in time for longer discussions. More details about when these are taking place and how you can book can be found on our website.
In addition to project and equipment funding, MGS offers a number of other funding streams that reflect the variety of work in the sector. These funds include the Festivals Fund, Achieving Accreditation Fund and the Subject Specialist Networks Travel Bursary.
All grant changes will come into effect at the start of the 2020 grants programme.
Small Project Fund
Closing date Award date
20 February (5PM) 2 April
28 May (5PM) 15 July
24 September (5PM) 5 November
Museums Development Fund
Closing date Award date
23 April (5PM) 18 June
08 October (5PM) 10 December
Dates for all grant streams can be found at https://www.museumsgalleriesscotland.org.uk/funding/funding-overview/
NOTES TO EDITORS
- Museums Galleries Scotland is the National Development Body for museums and galleries in Scotland and offers strategic development support to the sector. For further information about Museums Galleries Scotland visit www.museumsgalleriesscotland.org.uk/about-us/
- Museums Galleries Scotland distributes funding from the Scottish Government to support development in Scottish museums. The funding is allocated through grants to project activity, which delivers outcomes that directly align with Going Further: The National Strategy for Scotland’s Museums and Galleries and with the development plans of the individual museum.