Scotland is a nation rich in culture, heritage and creativity. Our museums and galleries welcome around 25 million visitors every year, attracting people to all parts of Scotland and making a vital £662m contribution to the Scottish economy.
We cannot underestimate their significant educational, social and economic value, so this month I was proud to launch the first national strategy for Scotland’s museums and galleries.
It sets out a compelling vision that is in line with the government’s ambitious programme for Scotland. It will, for the first time, connect Scotland’s entire network of museums and galleries in a drive for greater ambition, collaboration and innovation.
Building on the report of the ministerial thinktank and the national themes that I outlined in 2011, the strategy addresses the challenges that the museum sector faces.
This is a diverse sector, with wide geographical dispersal and a range of funding and governance models across different museums. The strategy provides an “all-Scotland” approach in setting out the strategic direction for the whole sector.
It provides a clear way forward for all of Scotland’s museums and galleries. It will unite the sector in a vision to achieve a more sustainable future and to maximise the sector’s reach, growth and potential over the next 10 years.
The strategy promotes creative thinking, smarter working and places a strong focus on recognising and increasing the potential of the sector’s talented workforce.
Its six clear aims and objectives are ones that all museums and galleries can contribute to. The strategic change it will deliver will be facilitated by Museums Galleries Scotland as the National Development Body, whose role it will be to broker partnerships, build capacity, gather evidence, advocate for the whole sector and support museums to achieve their objectives over the next decade.
The Scottish government is strongly committed to the development of Scotland’s museums and galleries. That is why it commissioned the strategy and why, at its launch, I reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the sector, announcing museums and galleries will receive £3.3m in grants over the next three years.
I would like the many other organisations responsible for museums and galleries in Scotland to engage closely with the national strategy and its delivery plan.
The time is right to remind ourselves of the need to protect and celebrate our cultural heritage. It is vital that together we focus our energies on our common goals so that we can sustain our creativity and maximise our impact.
The next steps we take together will ensure a firm footing for our museums and galleries well into the 21st century.
Fiona Hyslop is the Scottish government’s cabinet secretary for culture and external affairs.
We cannot underestimate their significant educational, social and economic value, so this month I was proud to launch the first national strategy for Scotland’s museums and galleries.
It sets out a compelling vision that is in line with the government’s ambitious programme for Scotland. It will, for the first time, connect Scotland’s entire network of museums and galleries in a drive for greater ambition, collaboration and innovation.
Building on the report of the ministerial thinktank and the national themes that I outlined in 2011, the strategy addresses the challenges that the museum sector faces.
This is a diverse sector, with wide geographical dispersal and a range of funding and governance models across different museums. The strategy provides an “all-Scotland” approach in setting out the strategic direction for the whole sector.
It provides a clear way forward for all of Scotland’s museums and galleries. It will unite the sector in a vision to achieve a more sustainable future and to maximise the sector’s reach, growth and potential over the next 10 years.
The strategy promotes creative thinking, smarter working and places a strong focus on recognising and increasing the potential of the sector’s talented workforce.
Its six clear aims and objectives are ones that all museums and galleries can contribute to. The strategic change it will deliver will be facilitated by Museums Galleries Scotland as the National Development Body, whose role it will be to broker partnerships, build capacity, gather evidence, advocate for the whole sector and support museums to achieve their objectives over the next decade.
The Scottish government is strongly committed to the development of Scotland’s museums and galleries. That is why it commissioned the strategy and why, at its launch, I reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the sector, announcing museums and galleries will receive £3.3m in grants over the next three years.
I would like the many other organisations responsible for museums and galleries in Scotland to engage closely with the national strategy and its delivery plan.
The time is right to remind ourselves of the need to protect and celebrate our cultural heritage. It is vital that together we focus our energies on our common goals so that we can sustain our creativity and maximise our impact.
The next steps we take together will ensure a firm footing for our museums and galleries well into the 21st century.
Fiona Hyslop is the Scottish government’s cabinet secretary for culture and external affairs.
