The Scottish Executive has announced more than £1m of funding for museums and galleries, and confirmed that Museums Galleries Scotland (MGS) will take on a new role as national development body from April 2012.
Culture minister Fiona Hyslop said £870,000 would be made available in the 2011-12 budget for Scotland’s 27 recognised collections of national significance.
A further £150,000 will be allocated to the National Fund for Acquisitions. However, this represents a 25% cut, as the fund has been £200,000 since 1996.
Hyslop also issued an update on the implementation of recommendations from last year’s Scottish Museums Think Tank report. MGS is to take on the role of national development body, although details of exactly what this will entail are still being discussed.
The report also called for the development of a national strategy for Scotland’s museums and galleries. MGS has been given responsibility for the strategy, and a forum to provide support and advice will be finalised after the May elections.