MGS seeks multi-year funding to ‘safeguard sector’s future’

Museums Galleries Scotland (MGS) has called on politicians to commit to multi-year funding and increased capital investment for museums in Scotland.

In its response to the Scottish Parliament’s Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee’s pre-budget scrutiny for 2026-27, the national development body called for a commitment to multi-year funding to “enable strategic planning, innovation and staff retention”.

It also sought the provision of “regular, increased capital investment to protect collections, improve accessibility, and meet environmental targets”.

The funder asked for assurance that museums and galleries would receive a proportionate share of any culture funding uplift, and said sustained and expanded funding should be provided to the newly launched Museum Futures programme to “support collaboration, innovation, and organisational sustainability”.

“Scotland’s museums and galleries are more than keepers of our national treasures – they are a force for public good, deeply embedded in our communities, and a powerful driver of cultural, social, and economic value,” said the organisation’s CEO, Lucy Casot.

“But behind the scenes, the sector continues to grapple with rising costs and insufficient funding models. Without sustained investment and clear strategic support, the challenges facing the sector will never be far from the surface.”

Casot highlighted the sector’s support for the Museum Futures programme, which launched in July and will provide an initial £4m to support the long-term sustainability of Scotland’s museums and galleries.

“The strength of the sector’s immediate response shows it is meeting their needs,” said Casot. “It is essential this investment is maintained and expanded into the 2026-27 budget and beyond in order to address the serious challenges the sector is experiencing.”

The response also highlighted the role of museums in “delivering on cross-government priorities”, from tackling health inequalities and boosting education outcomes to inspiring climate action.

The submission warned that without long-term investment, services will be reduced and public access to cultural benefits will diminish.

“If enabled, Scotland’s museums can be a cornerstone of a fairer, healthier, greener nation – delivering cultural enrichment and real public value,” said Casot. “They are ready to play their full part in building a sustainable future. With targeted investment and the right political will, museums and galleries can thrive and help Scotland to do the same.”

Annual review

MGS has also published its 2024-25 Annual Review and a newly launched Climate Report detailing its carbon footprint for that year. The review showed that the funding body awarded just under £1.75m in grants to Scottish museum organisations in 2024-25.

MGS delivered 17 funded places through its Modern Apprenticeships scheme, while the organisation’s staff made 169 visits to 96 museums.

The Delivering Change anti-oppression programme delivered 46 learning opportunities, and the Scottish Museums Climate Network, established in 2024, grew to more than 100 members.

Meanwhile the funding body’s first Climate Report found that it used just 61.4% of its projected carbon budget of 25,000KgCO2e.

The report showed that the direct carbon footprint of MGS is on a downward trend, from around 22,500KgCO2e in 2022-23 to 15,338.85 KgCO2e two years later.  The report attributed this drop to “strong policies surrounding travel, energy efficiency, and reporting of working location”.  

“This gives us the confidence to set more ambitious targets moving forward,” it added.  

Casot said: “I look forward to building on these achievements in the year ahead through our continued support for the museum sector.”

Community projects

Also this month, MGS announced a number of community organisations across Scotland that have been awarded a share of £125,000 as part of its Delivering Change: Community Catalysts programme.

The community groups have each received £25,000 to collaborate on a project with a partnering museum, which aims to bring underrepresented voices to the fore.

The community groups announced so far are:

• Romano Lav, which will collaborate with the National Galleries of Scotland to create a physical timeline that traces the roots and ongoing impacts of Roma discrimination, while celebrating Roma identity and culture
• LGBT Youth Scotland, which is partnering with The Whithorn Trust to highlight LGBTQ+ stories in rural Dumfries and Galloway.
• Sikh Sanjog, which is partnering with Museums and Galleries Edinburgh to create an exhibition that showcases the contributions of Scotland’s Sikh community, with a particular emphasis on the history of Sikh women and their families in Edinburgh.
• Northern Corridor Community Volunteers (NCCV), which is working with Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life to tell the stories of people who lived during the period of extractivism in the Northern Corridor and how their lives continue to be impacted today.

A further two Community Catalysts projects will be announced in the coming weeks.