The review of Renaissance in the Regions argued for the dismantling of the hub structure, the creation of Core museums, a Challenge Fund to support other larger museums and an enhanced museum development officer network to make sure that smaller museums get help to meet Accreditation standards.
The Museums Association (MA) supported the Renaissance review conclusions, but it cannot back, in such turbulent times, a new structure and funding mechanism being rushed through with no consultation.
The criteria for and role of Core museums and the purpose and range of the challenge fund are not mere administrative details, they are a fundamental changes.
The Hub museums have been involved in discussions about how the future might unfold but the majority of the museum sector is not so well informed. The MA would like answers to the following questions: The Hubs picked up many activities that were carried out the Area Museum Councils and the regional agencies but if the Core museums have no regional remit, how will this be maintained?
New arrangements for supporting museum development will apply from June 2011. This is a tight timescale and the MA fears that small museums will be left without support and not knowing who to turn to for advice. A detailed explanation of how the new system will work is needed soon.
The functions of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) are moving to Arts Council England, which is reviewing its relationship with its Regularly Funded Organisations. How will the new Core museum structure fit in?
The Challenge Fund is to provide strategic support for museums below Core museum level and above the smallest museums. What exactly is the role and purpose of the fund and how will it work?
The need for clarity is more acute as there is the prospect of carnage ahead as local authorities in England work out how to deal with 28% cuts. Managers of local authority museums are nervous about the future.
All of these imponderables point to two conclusions. If we are going to get this right, we need to take a little time and work out what the landscape will look like for the next few years and how we can best salvage as much as we can from MLA’s demise as its responsibilities transfer to a new organisation.
Secondly, it is vital that, in deciding on the issues above, there is transparency and sign up from the museum community. There has been none so far.
As the membership organisation that represents museums of all sizes and types, the MA is happy to host a debate on the new Renaissance. It doesn’t have to be a long debate, but if we want the majority of museums to be on board, it has to take place.
Mark Taylor is the director of the Museums Association
