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The MA has responded to the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure’s (DCAL) consultation on developing a museums policy for Northern Ireland.

DCAL is currently drafting a museums policy setting out a clear set of aims and goals for Northern Ireland’s museums to work towards.

The department acknowledges in the report that there has been a historical underinvestment in Northern Ireland’s cultural infrastructure.

The policy has been drafted along five themes: developing audiences; education and learning; collections development, management and use; infrastructure, investment and resources; and cultural rights.

The MA recommended that further consultation take place on the section outlining cultural rights. Caitlin Griffiths, MA head of workforce development and events, said: “The response does highlight our members’ concern about the last-minute inclusion of a separate section on cultural rights.

“There doesn’t seem to have been adequate consultation with museum in Northern Ireland on this area so we are calling on DCAL to make sure this happens.

The MA also called for a clear funding commitment from DCAL to support the future development of Northern Ireland’s Museums.

Griffiths said: “The development of a policy and strategic vision is particularly important in the challenging environment that museums in which are currently operating. What we need to do now is make sure that the infrastructure is in place to support them to deliver this programme.”

“We look forward to the publication of the final document and to working with DCAL and our members in Northern Ireland to make the policy a success.”