The final report from the Renaissance in the Regions review panel is expected this month, along with a response from the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA).
It is understood that the report makes sweeping recommendations for changes to the hub structures, as well as criticisms of the past management of the Renaissance scheme.
Sources have told Museums Journal that among the 20-plus recommendations are proposals to replace the regional hubs with a network of up to 12 core museum services. The report also suggests the establishment of a national board for Renaissance, which would replace the regional boards.
The report is also believed to recommend that core museums act as an advice service for the wider sector, and the establishment of a national framework of museum development officers.
An MLA spokesman said the review and the MLA's response were with the department for culture, and that it expected to be able to publish the report this month, together with its response.
"It would not be appropriate to comment before then, save to emphasise that the MLA will not make further changes to the programme nor its governance without first consulting and conducting our own careful assessment of the implications of any changes," said the spokesman.
"We will be building on the success of Renaissance as the most important intervention in English non-national museums since the Museums Act of 1845."
But a source close to the MLA ruled out a national board and any immediate changes to the hub structure and said management and administrative problems were already being addressed.
The report also proposes that the long-awaited national strategy for museums should be merged with the recommendations of the Renaissance review.
But the MLA source said a national strategy had to be wider than Renaissance, and it would publish its museums action plan in the summer.
The far-reaching review looks at how Renaissance has measured up to its aims. The report acknowledges the scheme's success in increasing visits to hub museums and improving their overall sustainability. But it criticises the MLA's management of Renaissance, including financial reporting, data gathering and performance management.
The MLA's acquisitions, exports and loans department is to move from London to Birmingham at the end of March 2010. Museums Journal understands that most of the 13-strong department will be transferred, although those responsible for policy will remain in London.
It is understood that the report makes sweeping recommendations for changes to the hub structures, as well as criticisms of the past management of the Renaissance scheme.
Sources have told Museums Journal that among the 20-plus recommendations are proposals to replace the regional hubs with a network of up to 12 core museum services. The report also suggests the establishment of a national board for Renaissance, which would replace the regional boards.
The report is also believed to recommend that core museums act as an advice service for the wider sector, and the establishment of a national framework of museum development officers.
An MLA spokesman said the review and the MLA's response were with the department for culture, and that it expected to be able to publish the report this month, together with its response.
"It would not be appropriate to comment before then, save to emphasise that the MLA will not make further changes to the programme nor its governance without first consulting and conducting our own careful assessment of the implications of any changes," said the spokesman.
"We will be building on the success of Renaissance as the most important intervention in English non-national museums since the Museums Act of 1845."
But a source close to the MLA ruled out a national board and any immediate changes to the hub structure and said management and administrative problems were already being addressed.
The report also proposes that the long-awaited national strategy for museums should be merged with the recommendations of the Renaissance review.
But the MLA source said a national strategy had to be wider than Renaissance, and it would publish its museums action plan in the summer.
The far-reaching review looks at how Renaissance has measured up to its aims. The report acknowledges the scheme's success in increasing visits to hub museums and improving their overall sustainability. But it criticises the MLA's management of Renaissance, including financial reporting, data gathering and performance management.
The MLA's acquisitions, exports and loans department is to move from London to Birmingham at the end of March 2010. Museums Journal understands that most of the 13-strong department will be transferred, although those responsible for policy will remain in London.
