CULTURE Secretary Fiona Hyslop will today unveil a pioneering strategy to connect Scotland’s entire network of museums and galleries in a drive for greater collaboration, innovation and creativity.
The Cabinet Secretary will reveal the first ever National Strategy for Scotland’s Museums and Galleries – a groundbreaking framework designed to maximise the sector’s reach, growth and potential over the next 10 years.
The national strategy will unite the sector in a vision to achieve a more sustainable future and to maximise the sector’s reach, growth and potential. Its delivery will be coordinated by a new National Development Body, whose role will involve supporting and enabling the sector to meet the strategy’s objectives. Museums Galleries Scotland are currently making transitional arrangements to become the new National Development Body.
To coincide with the launch of the strategy, Ms Hyslop today reaffirmed the Scottish Government’s commitment to museums and galleries, announcing the sector will receive £3.3 million in grants over the next three years.
Ms Hyslop will welcome the National Strategy for Scotland’s Museums and Galleries during a visit to the Recognised Collection of National Significance at the historic Bo’Ness and Kinneil Railway this afternoon. She will later present the strategy to representatives of the museums and galleries sector at a reception event in Edinburgh hosted by Museums Galleries Scotland.
Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop, said: “Scotland is a nation rich in culture, in heritage and creativity. Our museums and galleries welcome around 25 million visitors every year, attracting people to all parts of Scotland and making a vital £800 million contribution to the Scottish economy. We simply cannot underestimate their significant educational, social and economic value.
“The launch today of a pioneering strategy for the entire sector, together with the announcement that the Scottish Government will grant £3.3m funding for the sector, reaffirms the government’s strong commitment to the development of Scotland’s museums and galleries.
“The strategy is also an opportunity for the many other organisations responsible for museums in Scotland to recognise their value and to join with others in the sector to commit to its future.”
Fiona Ballantyne, Chair of the Museum Strategy Group and of Museums Galleries Scotland, said: “This strategy has been born out of a year of intensive dialogue with and among sector and partner organisations, which allows us to set out with a very strong sense of purpose and future direction.
“This empowerment and ownership is a fundamental element of the sector working together to deliver the strategy and will continue to be instrumental to its success.”
Dr Bridget McConnell, Chief Executive of Glasgow Life, said: “This is an exciting development which will see museums and galleries across Scotland working together to ensure the widest possible access and enjoyment of our rich collections.
“Last year, almost 3.4 million visitors enjoyed Glasgow’s civic museums and our internationally recognised collections – the best performing civic museums’ estate in the UK.
“Ahead of the implementation of the strategy, we have already forged strong working links with the National Galleries and Glasgow University. Another unique partnership we have developed is with the island of Raasay in the Inner Hebrides, where we are working with them to develop a new museum, drawing on both our expertise and collections.”
