MA board calls for funding framework for regional museums

Patrick Steel, 07.06.2011
Trustees want MA and ACE to ensure balanced portfolio following the application process
At today’s Museums Association board meeting, trustees indicated that, following the application process, they would like to see a framework to help the Arts Council England decide which museums to include in its portfolio.

Maurice Davies, the MA’s head of policy and communications, said: “The board would like the MA to devise a framework that can help ACE make its overall decision about which museums to fund.

“The MA would like to come up with ways to ensure that the museum portfolio is balanced, taking into account audience needs, and perhaps also what kind of museum subjects should be accepted in each region.

“We are keen to hear members’ views on the best way to proceed, and will be talking to interested people and organisations over the next month or so.

“We are very much hoping to work closely with ACE on developing the framework, so that we and they can learn from each other throughout the process.

“The board will be looking at a final briefing at its next meeting on 28 July, and we hope to have the framework in place by the time of our Annual Conference and Exhibition in October.”

ACE is expected to issue a call for applications over the summer.

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Maurice, Head of Policy & Communication, Museums Association (MA Member)
13.06.2011, 11:24
We at the MA are urging ACE to consult as widely as possible with museums - and it looks like ACE genuinely want to do that. So far, they seem very keen to listen and learn and are I think they are beginning to speak to museum people throughout England. But it'll take time as ACE doesn't yet have any museum-specific staff in post. We'll soon be consulting MA members to find out what you think ACE should take into account when deciding which museums to fund. And we hope that will then lead to a national strategy.

Victoria (MA Member)
10.06.2011, 13:00
Have I missed something? What application process are we talking about? is it the Challenge Fund or some other anticipated pot created by the fallout from the proposed shelving of core museums?
As Glynis says the phrase 'what kind of museum subjects should be accepted in each region', sounds alarming.
It is great that the MA is engaging with ACE, but I suggest that ACE's regional offices engage with local Federations at the same time so that a true picture of museums beyond London informs their policy.
Lyn, Museum Development Officer, Suffolk County Council (MA Member)
08.06.2011, 16:00
Where oh where is the national or regional strategy for museums in this kind of debate ? There are large parts of the country served entirely by volunteer run museums - and some of these areas include wards with very high economic deprivation. Core museums or 'portfolio' museums can't by their very nature serve or represent these sorts of areas directly (unless it is through a kind of 'cultural imperialism' ).
I'm uneasy about anyone deciding 'which museums' without a broader conversation about cultural entitlement, public service and representation of our rural communities in museums.
And we need to involve local authorities in this debate to be sure we and the Arts Council work well with some of our key potential partners.
Victoria, Manager Conservation and Heritage, Wiltshire CC Heritage Services (MA Member, MJ Subscriber, MP Subscriber)
08.06.2011, 12:31
I welcome the fact that things seem to have gone quiet on the Core Museums front and hope it means a complete rethink. The model of NPOs could work well for museums with a G4A equivalent alongside. It will be interesting to see how well museums (and libraries?) sit within Estelle Morris' revised version of Great Art for All.
Peter, Cultural Policy Advisor, Canterbury City Council (MA Member)
08.06.2011, 09:06
It's really important to remember that large footfall does not mean excellent museum. The ACE NPO is full or large and small organisations who each meet the fundatmental aims and objectives of ACEs Great Art for Everyone, and so museums - large and small - should be represented in any portfolio. We have a real opportunity to influence any addendum to the ACE strategy, which I assume will support museums entering the NPO and not a seperate 'Core Museums' scheme...
Anonymous (MA Member, MJ Subscriber, MP Subscriber)
08.06.2011, 01:52
I was struck by the contrast between 'Core Museums' and the Arts Council National Portfolio. In our own area, the recognition of excellence has meant that a local arts centre has been awarded funding, alongside the big names. As Director of an independent museum, with limited grant funding, I am obviously biased, but the Core Museum model would mean tax-payers in our area paying for museum services that they do not use. I always thought that Renaissance should have challenged the sector to create a base level of service provision across the country, building capacity in museums of all sizes.
Glynis, MDO Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull, Warwickshire Museum & Museum Service (MA Member, MJ Subscriber, MP Subscriber)
07.06.2011, 19:15
Really glad the MA, among others, are planning ways to authoritatively share their experience and knowledge of the sector with ACE. It will be good to start afresh at our understanding of what makes a 'good' museum..or a museum a good place/institution. Also really glad that MA wishes to intervene on behalf of the sector to ensure there is a 'balance' in funding decisions. I am (more than) a little confused by the question ' what kind of museum subjects should be accepted in each region.'... what are museum subjects? Is the MA thinking of saying who should do what in what part of the country... surely not?
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