Control of the NIMC will then be transferred to seven new local councils and central government, probably the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL).
Peter Hain, the Northern Ireland secretary, announced the decision to reduce the number of local authorities in Northern Ireland from 26 to seven at the end of last year, because it was thought there were too many local councils for a population of only 1.5 million. Then in March he made another announcement signalling his desire to reduce the number of public bodies, or 'quangos', from 81 to 53.
Chris Bailey, the director of the NIMC, told Museums Journal that while he has reservations and regrets about the winding-up of the NIMC, he believes the outcome could benefit some museums in the province. 'It is imperative that whatever the future structure, the services we provide must survive,' he said. 'The details of the change process now need quick and acute attention.
The DCAL has committed, at long last, to bring about a museums development policy for Northern Ireland. Such policy is a prerequisite before new implementation arrangements are set in place and should act as a visionary development framework for the sector for the next ten years at least, and not remain a review of current provision.'
Bailey added that the council is lobbying to have provisions for museums made a statutory requirement for the new local councils. He said he has been encouraged by the attitudes of the existing councils.
'The majority of local councils in Northern Ireland maintain some form of museum service, and some combine most effectively in a cooperative effort for this purpose. They can see clearly the importance of heritage in relation to tourism, event promotion, social benefit and the local economy.'
The current NIMC remit is to help Northern Ireland museums maintain and improve their standards of collections care and service to the public, and works to promote a coherent framework of museum provision. The NIMC has five staff and receives £269,000 from DCAL in support of its work.
There are 39 registered museums in Northern Ireland - 18 local authority museums, 12 independently run museums, four national museums, four National Trust properties and one university collection.
For further details visit the NIMC site: www.nimc.co.uk
Don Anderson
Peter Hain, the Northern Ireland secretary, announced the decision to reduce the number of local authorities in Northern Ireland from 26 to seven at the end of last year, because it was thought there were too many local councils for a population of only 1.5 million. Then in March he made another announcement signalling his desire to reduce the number of public bodies, or 'quangos', from 81 to 53.
Chris Bailey, the director of the NIMC, told Museums Journal that while he has reservations and regrets about the winding-up of the NIMC, he believes the outcome could benefit some museums in the province. 'It is imperative that whatever the future structure, the services we provide must survive,' he said. 'The details of the change process now need quick and acute attention.
The DCAL has committed, at long last, to bring about a museums development policy for Northern Ireland. Such policy is a prerequisite before new implementation arrangements are set in place and should act as a visionary development framework for the sector for the next ten years at least, and not remain a review of current provision.'
Bailey added that the council is lobbying to have provisions for museums made a statutory requirement for the new local councils. He said he has been encouraged by the attitudes of the existing councils.
'The majority of local councils in Northern Ireland maintain some form of museum service, and some combine most effectively in a cooperative effort for this purpose. They can see clearly the importance of heritage in relation to tourism, event promotion, social benefit and the local economy.'
The current NIMC remit is to help Northern Ireland museums maintain and improve their standards of collections care and service to the public, and works to promote a coherent framework of museum provision. The NIMC has five staff and receives £269,000 from DCAL in support of its work.
There are 39 registered museums in Northern Ireland - 18 local authority museums, 12 independently run museums, four national museums, four National Trust properties and one university collection.
For further details visit the NIMC site: www.nimc.co.uk
Don Anderson
