Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland could be left stranded by end of MLA
Patrick Steel, 04.08.2010
Abolition of MLA in 2012 raises questions over museum development in home nations
A spokesman for The Federation of Museums and Art Galleries of Wales said there was concern that grant support for museum purchases would be lost and free technical advice from the National Security Advisor would no longer be available, while questions hung over the continuation of the MLA-funded Portable Antiquities Scheme and Collections Trust, and the continuance of the MLA-administered Museum Accreditation Scheme.
Rachael Rogers, the Federation’s president, said: “The Federation will campaign, along with colleagues in the Museums Association, to get firm assurances that services and support that Welsh museums currently get from MLA will be maintained in an effective manner in the future.
“Museums play such a vital role in the local economy around Wales, often with very limited resources that any lessening of support could threaten the heritage we are trying to protect, support and make available to the public.”
A spokesman for Museums Galleries Scotland (MGS) said: “The decision taken to wind up the MLA by 2012 is extremely concerning. Support for the UK museums and galleries sector must continue in some form.
“MGS has worked with the MLA for many years to promote and develop standards in UK museums and galleries. We will continue to work with the MLA in the transition period and will proactively seek positive partnerships with the alternative delivery model or ogranisation.”
Maurice Davies, the MA’s head of policy and communications, said: “When the MLA was first created, the Museums Association warned that it could become increasingly difficult to achieve a joined up UK approach to museum development.
“It is unfortunate that, just as museum bodies in the four nations of the UK have started to work together again, it looks as though it may now become more fragmented than ever before because of the abolition of the MLA.
“These ill-thought-through changes could lead to more duplication and so don’t look to me like the most efficient modernisation of government and its agencies to me.
“It might have been better if the government had taken the time to consult on some of the detail of their proposals before announcing their decision.”
Picture of the Forth Rail Bridge (c) Andrew Bell
Rachael Rogers, the Federation’s president, said: “The Federation will campaign, along with colleagues in the Museums Association, to get firm assurances that services and support that Welsh museums currently get from MLA will be maintained in an effective manner in the future.
“Museums play such a vital role in the local economy around Wales, often with very limited resources that any lessening of support could threaten the heritage we are trying to protect, support and make available to the public.”
A spokesman for Museums Galleries Scotland (MGS) said: “The decision taken to wind up the MLA by 2012 is extremely concerning. Support for the UK museums and galleries sector must continue in some form.
“MGS has worked with the MLA for many years to promote and develop standards in UK museums and galleries. We will continue to work with the MLA in the transition period and will proactively seek positive partnerships with the alternative delivery model or ogranisation.”
Maurice Davies, the MA’s head of policy and communications, said: “When the MLA was first created, the Museums Association warned that it could become increasingly difficult to achieve a joined up UK approach to museum development.
“It is unfortunate that, just as museum bodies in the four nations of the UK have started to work together again, it looks as though it may now become more fragmented than ever before because of the abolition of the MLA.
“These ill-thought-through changes could lead to more duplication and so don’t look to me like the most efficient modernisation of government and its agencies to me.
“It might have been better if the government had taken the time to consult on some of the detail of their proposals before announcing their decision.”
Picture of the Forth Rail Bridge (c) Andrew Bell
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