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, designated status is awarded to pre-eminent collections identified as of national and international importance.
The review, which is expected to take until 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.
“We therefore 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.
The Percival David collection of Chinese Art was recently transferred into the ownership of the British Museum and consequently lost its Designated status.
Launched in 1997, designated status is awarded to pre-eminent collections identified as of national and international importance.
The review, which is expected to take until 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.
“We therefore 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.
The Percival David collection of Chinese Art was recently transferred into the ownership of the British Museum and consequently lost its Designated status.
