Connecting with other museum workers through professional networks is a great way to make new connections, learn about the industry and even scope out your next job opportunity.
Networks often run digital or in-person events as well as email lists and other support platforms.
We’ve put together a non-exhaustive list of professional organisations and networks useful for your professional development. Please note that the MA is not responsible for external websites but does endeavour to keep this page up to date.
Museums Association
The Museums Association website includes sector news, advice on professional development, policy initiatives and documents, and information by area of work and area of the UK. Register for the website for free and sign up for the Museums Association’s biweekly newsletter to keep up to date with sector developments across the UK.
We offer a range of membership options for individuals, with benefits including a free entry card to museums and exhibitions, online access to Museums Journal, substantial discounts on events (including our annual conference), access to free members’ meetings and professional development schemes.
UK-wide and international networks
- a-n The Artists Information Company
- Archives and Records Association
- Army Museums Network (Facebook)
- Art Fund
- Arts Marketing Association
- Association for Art History
- Association for Cultural Enterprises
- Association for Heritage Interpretation
- Association for Historical and Fine Art Photography
- Association of Independent Museums (AIM)
- Chartered Institute for Archaeologists
- Culture, Health and Wellbeing Alliance
- Digital Learning Network
- Engage
- The Exhibitions Group
- Galleries, Libraries, Archives and Museums Care (GLAM Cares)
- Group for Education in Museums (GEM)
- Heritage Volunteering Group
- Institute of Conservation (Icon)
- International Council of Museums (Icom)
- Museum Detox (for people of colour working in museums)
- Museums and Climate Change Network
- Museums Computer Group
- Natural Sciences Collections Association
- The Neurodiverse Museum
- Social History Curators Group
- Space Invaders (feminists in museums and heritage)
- University Museums Group (England, Wales and Northern Ireland)
- UK Registrars Group
- Visitor Studies Group
Subject Specialist Networks (SSNs)
- British Art Network
- Contemporary Studio Ceramics
- Costume Society
- Dress and Textiles Specialists
- Islamic Art and Material Culture
- Money and Medals Network
- Museum Ethnographers Group
- Photographic Collections Network
- Royal Society of Arts
- Rural Museums Network
- Scottish Transport and Industry Collections Knowledge Network (STICK)
- Society for Museum Archaeology
- UK Medical Collections Group
- Understanding British Portraits
- War and Conflict
- Workhouse Network
Groups for UK nations and regions
- Museums Galleries Scotland
- Museums and Heritage Highland
- University Museums in Scotland Group
- Go Industrial (Industrial Museums Scotland)
- Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
- NI Museums Council
- Museum Development networks (regional groups across England)
- SHARE (museums in the East of England)
Museum federations and associations
- Welsh Museums Federation
- Scottish Museums Federation
- Make Your Mark (Scotland)
- South and East Museums Federation
- South West Fed
- Midlands Federation of Museums and Galleries
- NWFed (formerly the North West Federation of Museums and Art Galleries)
- Hertfordshire Association of Museums
Museum jobs
- Find a Job (Museums Association)
- Jobs desk (Museum Studies at the University of Leicester)
- Culture Briefs for freelance opportunities
- Arts Jobs (Arts Council England)
- Jobs and opportunities (Museums Galleries Scotland)
- Jobs (Arts Council NI)
- News, jobs and opportunities (Cyngor Celfyddydau Cymru (Arts Council Wales))
The above information was correct as of 2 March 2026 and will next be reviewed in March 2027. If any of the information above is incorrect or you want us to add a network, please email rebecca.atkinson@museumsassociation.org.