Museums Galleries Scotland announces new grants schedule for 2025/26

Museums Galleries Scotland (MGS) has announced a grants programme representing £2.4m of investment for 2025/26.

Following increased investment from the Scottish Government, the Repair and Adaptation Fund has been introduced to address the need for capital funding in the sector. Accredited museums will be able to apply for up to £100,000.

Following this new capital fund, the MGS’s Small Grants Fund will open to non-accredited museums who can apply for up to £10,000 while accredited museums can apply for up to £15,000.

Meanwhile, £128,000 have been awarded by MGS to six organisations through the Creative Minds Fund in order to enhance mental health through arts and heritage initiatives.

The fund, which was launched by MGS in 2024 and is supported by the Baring Foundation, aims to support museums and partnering mental health organisations in providing engagement opportunities for people dealing with mental health issues.

“Scotland has a fantastic wealth of museums and galleries throughout the country which have the potential to provide valuable support to individuals experiencing mental health challenges,” said Lucy Casot, the chief executive of Museums Galleries Scotland.

“I am delighted that this funding is helping museums to deliver this important activity, promoting wellbeing and creativity, and fostering cross-sector partnerships.

We’re also pleased to be able to continue offering this fund in our 2025/26 grants programme.”

Among the recipients is Glasgow Life, which was awarded £25,000 to develop a programme in collaboration with Scottish Action for Mental Health to connect communities with collections and explore the benefits of museums for those dealing with mental health issues.

“Glasgow Life is incredibly grateful to MGS for its Creative Minds funding, supporting our work to creatively connect communities to collections and help them explore the mental health benefits of museums,” said Jane Rowland, head of Museum Collections at Glasgow Life.

“Working in partnership with Scottish Action for Mental Health, this project will develop creative workshops with adult mental health groups and deliver a programme of focused staff training to create a good practice guide for museum staff.

“Funding like this from MGS supports the ambition for our museums to be accessible and welcoming spaces for everyone.”

The NHS Lothian Charity’s Tonic Arts Programme has been granted £25,000 to support its project in partnership with NHS Lothian’s Staff Psychological Support Services, Occupational Health Service, and Work Well Programme. The project aims to support health care workers experiencing mental health issues.

“We are incredibly grateful for this match funding, which will enable us to launch Tonic for the Soul, an important creative engagement project that will harness the power of our diverse art collection to support the mental wellbeing of NHS Lothian staff,” said Susan Grant, the arts manager at Tonic Arts, NHS Lothian Charity.

“This initiative will not only provide immediate support through these art-based activities but also leave a lasting legacy of resources for staff, patients, and visitors to benefit from for years to come.”

The other recipients of Creative Minds Fund are:

• The University of Stirling Art Collection (£11,798) to support Creative Collaborations: Student’s Art and Wellbeing, a programme aimed at university students to deliver a series of creative workshops.
• The University of Edinburgh (£20,055) to support the Notable Difference project in collaboration with Prescribe Culture. The 18-month project will focus on co-designing a creative health programme.
• Fife Cultural Trust (£22,072) to support Wellbeing at the Museum. The project aims to develop volunteering opportunities and a series of creative workshops designed for people experiencing anxiety and social isolation.
• Live Argyll (£24,400) to support Live Argyll’s Creative Connections project. It aims to develop the skills and confidence of museum staff in engaging with mental heath-focused programming and increase access to the museum’s collection.