Last year was interesting politically if you live in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland. The outcomes and complications arising from the elections have certainly raised the profile of the Home Countries.
Since 1999, museum structures in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have diverged from those in England where the agenda seems to be dominated by Renaissance, a programme that applies only to England.
In Wales, recent events are tending to put further distance from the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA). Its influence is being increasingly marginalised as the Welsh Assembly Government pursues a new and more Welsh agenda based on the local political framework.
The recent realisation that the MLA-sponsored purchase funds (V&A and PRISM) should never have been applied to Wales after 1999 reinforces the debate over the relevance of the MLA to Wales. Hopefully sense will prevail in ensuring that this particular issue is resolved satisfactorily.
It is a pity that some of the excellent work done by the MLA, such as the Accreditation Scheme, may eventually go by the board if Wales and others decide - or are pushed - to create their own fully fledged independent cross-domain institutions.
Government departments in London have failed to keep up with what is happening in the Home Countries and often fail to refer to them, especially in examples of good practice.
The concentration on Renaissance reinforces the shutting up of borders and the difficulties museums have in engaging with issues that the department for culture and the MLA push forward on an England-only basis.
The comprehensive spending review settlement - ring-fencing Renaissance at the expense of the MLA Partnership - may result in the MLA having to review its core functions. This could pose a further danger to any remaining UK-wide programmes.
The failure to realise that agendas are diverging year on year will surely see new initiatives evolve in the Home Countries that will eventually replace the rump of functions that the MLA still delivers UK wide. This would be a pity, as expertise has been built up in the MLA that would be difficult to replace.
I look forward to seeing if Roy Clare, the MLA chief executive, gives UK-wide issues the seriousness they deserve. Perhaps the MLA should look at the lead the Museums Association (MA) has taken recently in forging partnerships in Wales and Scotland with the creation of development officer posts - a serious attempt by the MA to ensure engagement across the UK.
This contrasts with the continuing slow disengagement that seems to be the case with the MLA, with consequences that would be to the detriment of all museums.
John Marjoram is the Museums Association's development officer for Wales
Since 1999, museum structures in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have diverged from those in England where the agenda seems to be dominated by Renaissance, a programme that applies only to England.
In Wales, recent events are tending to put further distance from the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA). Its influence is being increasingly marginalised as the Welsh Assembly Government pursues a new and more Welsh agenda based on the local political framework.
The recent realisation that the MLA-sponsored purchase funds (V&A and PRISM) should never have been applied to Wales after 1999 reinforces the debate over the relevance of the MLA to Wales. Hopefully sense will prevail in ensuring that this particular issue is resolved satisfactorily.
It is a pity that some of the excellent work done by the MLA, such as the Accreditation Scheme, may eventually go by the board if Wales and others decide - or are pushed - to create their own fully fledged independent cross-domain institutions.
Government departments in London have failed to keep up with what is happening in the Home Countries and often fail to refer to them, especially in examples of good practice.
The concentration on Renaissance reinforces the shutting up of borders and the difficulties museums have in engaging with issues that the department for culture and the MLA push forward on an England-only basis.
The comprehensive spending review settlement - ring-fencing Renaissance at the expense of the MLA Partnership - may result in the MLA having to review its core functions. This could pose a further danger to any remaining UK-wide programmes.
The failure to realise that agendas are diverging year on year will surely see new initiatives evolve in the Home Countries that will eventually replace the rump of functions that the MLA still delivers UK wide. This would be a pity, as expertise has been built up in the MLA that would be difficult to replace.
I look forward to seeing if Roy Clare, the MLA chief executive, gives UK-wide issues the seriousness they deserve. Perhaps the MLA should look at the lead the Museums Association (MA) has taken recently in forging partnerships in Wales and Scotland with the creation of development officer posts - a serious attempt by the MA to ensure engagement across the UK.
This contrasts with the continuing slow disengagement that seems to be the case with the MLA, with consequences that would be to the detriment of all museums.
John Marjoram is the Museums Association's development officer for Wales
