The Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) is consulting museums about its new vision for Renaissance.
A discussion document, has been circulated to hub museums and makes four suggestions for a “new Renaissance model”, including developing core museums to replace hubs.
The document suggests there could be “a small number of core museums” that meet collections care and best practice criteria, and that core museums could benefit from funding agreements similar to those for national museums and possibly spanning five years.
Other suggestions include a challenge fund for non-core museums, the continuation of the museum development officers’ network and “national programme” funding for areas such as workforce development.
Roy Clare, chief executive of the MLA, said the future of Renaissance lies in how best to align the development of museums with the expectations of the public. “This is less about ‘core or non-core’ and more about smarter investment that goes straight to where it will make most impact for most people.”
Mark Taylor, director of the Museums Association, said he was pleased that the MLA had taken on the Renaissance review’s recommendations, but there should be more consultation.
“There needs to be more discussion,” he said. “Core museums replacing the hubs is pretty radical.”
The plan is subject to agreement by the MLA board and Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
The document says the aim would be to move towards the new model in the funding period 2011-2014.