Three’s a crowd? No, the more the merrier

The people of Leeds are proud of their new £26m museum. At last month's opening, crowds vied to become the first to interact with the rich collections and eye-catching spaces.

Enabled by £19m from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the museum is far more than a restored building and a new home for historic objects. It is the popular result of engagement with local people, and evidence that audiences want narratives beyond walls and institutions.

The trails and tales within the museum are founded on a skilful interpretation of objects, papers, books and art. Blended from galleries, archives, libraries and museums across the city, they lead to enquiry and discovery.

And nearby, the art gallery has punched through to the adjoining central library. People browse freely between the two; works of international standing are complemented by research facilities. Confident 19th-century architecture provides an inspirational backdrop to creativity and leisure.

In its enterprise, Leeds is praiseworthy, but not alone. Organisations across the country are doing more together. Where the sector integrates relevantly with local services, social value is enhanced.

Activity between libraries, archives and museums is increasing, and the 141 bids to Find Your Talent, the government scheme to guarantee children access to culture, shows the appetite for collaboration.

The name over the door is less important than delivery to customers. People want access to excellent culture, art and information. They don't want squabbles across professional boundaries and disputes about demarcation.

In last month's journal, the Museums Association's Mark Taylor said three's a crowd? No! The more the merrier! There is much in common, such as historic collections, research, creativity and conservation. Shared skills and applications include display, interpretation, live performance, customer services, income generation and digital media.

The vision for contemporary curating is about reaching all people, sharing resources democratically and eradicating barriers to imagination. Musées sans frontières is a "big idea" that breaches walls, buildings and egos. It requires leadership, as well as commitment to increasing the tempo and flair with which collections are taken to wider audiences.

These and other principles are in the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council's action plans. A museums' strategy will be published early next year once the Renaissance review has been digested. Meanwhile successful collaboration is urgently needed between museums, libraries, archives and every other feasible partner.

If museums are united professionally and engaged with the public, they have much greater potential for collective sustainability and for creating excellent experiences that enrich lives.

Roy Clare is the chief executive of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council