ACE closes Designation scheme for review
Changes may be made to scheme's scope and governance
Arts Council England (ACE) has temporarily closed the Designation scheme to new applications while it carries out a year-long review into its effectiveness.
Launched in 1997, Designation is awarded to pre-eminent collections identified as of national and international importance.
The review, which is expected to complete next spring, will consider the purpose and principles of Designation to establish whether it is effective as a means of identifying vitally important cultural collections.
Changes may be made to the scheme’s processes, scope and governance as a result.
Alan Davey, chief executive of ACE, said: “The Designation scheme has not been formally reviewed since its launch in 1997. During this time the management of the scheme has migrated through three national agencies, therefore we feel that it is necessary and timely to review Designation to help us build on the successes of the past 15 years and ensure that we are providing as effective a scheme as possible.”
In an email to stakeholders, Davey said ACE would be consulting widely as part of the review.
There are 139 Designated collections across 111 different organisations in England – 59% of which are museum-based collections.
Previously, there were 140 Designated collections but the Percival David collection of Chinese Art has been formally transferred into the ownership of the British Museum and is no longer eligible to retain this status.
Earlier this year the Royal College of Surgeons' combined museum, archive and library collections was awarded Designated status.
The collections include personal papers of surgeons and scientists, as well as more than 80,000 items covering the teaching of surgery, dental surgery, anatomy and pathology.
For museums to qualify for major grant funding, the replacement for Renaissance hub funding, they must have a Designated collection.
Launched in 1997, Designation is awarded to pre-eminent collections identified as of national and international importance.
The review, which is expected to complete next spring, will consider the purpose and principles of Designation to establish whether it is effective as a means of identifying vitally important cultural collections.
Changes may be made to the scheme’s processes, scope and governance as a result.
Alan Davey, chief executive of ACE, said: “The Designation scheme has not been formally reviewed since its launch in 1997. During this time the management of the scheme has migrated through three national agencies, therefore we feel that it is necessary and timely to review Designation to help us build on the successes of the past 15 years and ensure that we are providing as effective a scheme as possible.”
In an email to stakeholders, Davey said ACE would be consulting widely as part of the review.
There are 139 Designated collections across 111 different organisations in England – 59% of which are museum-based collections.
Previously, there were 140 Designated collections but the Percival David collection of Chinese Art has been formally transferred into the ownership of the British Museum and is no longer eligible to retain this status.
Earlier this year the Royal College of Surgeons' combined museum, archive and library collections was awarded Designated status.
The collections include personal papers of surgeons and scientists, as well as more than 80,000 items covering the teaching of surgery, dental surgery, anatomy and pathology.
For museums to qualify for major grant funding, the replacement for Renaissance hub funding, they must have a Designated collection.