A national strategy for museums has so far eluded curators, directors, and policy-makers. What looked like a serious intention to develop one with the publication of Understanding the Future in January 2005 turned into a prolonged phase of consultation followed by a lengthy period of procrastination. Finally, though, it looks as if the stalling is over.
Last month I saw the latest draft of the strategy and, at first glance, it reads more as if it is a statement of where museums are at than a strategy. There are lots of references to the value of museums and the shape of the sector. Of course, we understand that we have to remind government what museums are good at, but devoting two pages of a six-page document to this feels disproportionate.
After that the themes are arranged under three broad headings: excellence in scholarship and curation; developing a clear infrastructure; and best practice in leadership, governance and entrepreneurship. All the usual suspects appear in these categories - national-regional partnerships, subject specialist networks, and workforce development.
Unfortunately, Renaissance in the Regions, the biggest thing to happen to museums in the past 10 years, feels as if it's been relegated to the footnotes, with only a passing reference. Sustainability - both economic and environmental - is given only a cursory mention in relation to energy efficiency. And the issue of a single funding body for the sector has been ducked yet again.
So, beyond some laudable aspirations and the stuff we already know, there's very little meat on the bones at the moment. What's more, the particulars of how and when most of the objectives will be achieved remain unclear.
A strategy should have vision, clear goals and a timescale for delivery. So far, this is a nascent strategy: it lacks a wow factor and needs some serious beefing up.
Sharon Heal, editor
The national museum strategy will be launched at the Museums Association Conference in Liverpool, 6-8 October
Last month I saw the latest draft of the strategy and, at first glance, it reads more as if it is a statement of where museums are at than a strategy. There are lots of references to the value of museums and the shape of the sector. Of course, we understand that we have to remind government what museums are good at, but devoting two pages of a six-page document to this feels disproportionate.
After that the themes are arranged under three broad headings: excellence in scholarship and curation; developing a clear infrastructure; and best practice in leadership, governance and entrepreneurship. All the usual suspects appear in these categories - national-regional partnerships, subject specialist networks, and workforce development.
Unfortunately, Renaissance in the Regions, the biggest thing to happen to museums in the past 10 years, feels as if it's been relegated to the footnotes, with only a passing reference. Sustainability - both economic and environmental - is given only a cursory mention in relation to energy efficiency. And the issue of a single funding body for the sector has been ducked yet again.
So, beyond some laudable aspirations and the stuff we already know, there's very little meat on the bones at the moment. What's more, the particulars of how and when most of the objectives will be achieved remain unclear.
A strategy should have vision, clear goals and a timescale for delivery. So far, this is a nascent strategy: it lacks a wow factor and needs some serious beefing up.
Sharon Heal, editor
The national museum strategy will be launched at the Museums Association Conference in Liverpool, 6-8 October
Links
Museums Association Conference and Exhibition 2008
sharon@museumsassociation.org
Museums Association Conference and Exhibition 2008
sharon@museumsassociation.org
