With the launch of the national strategy for Scotland’s museums this very diverse sector has come together behind a single strategy for the first time.
This is vital for our sector to make continued progress particularly in this difficult economic climate where value for money means that every penny is under scrutiny and any funding from the Scottish government must show the widest possible social value.
Museums Galleries Scotland (MGS) has been instrumental in guiding the development of the strategy and now it is crucial that it changes from its former role to become the new national development body (NDB).
The current constitution of MGS as a membership organisation is not sustainable as a sector lead organisation. It must reconstitute as a charitable organisation where its directors become the members to enable it to become the NDB that can be responsive enough to deliver, with power vested in the board to make decisions.
I understand the misgivings of some but the board will still be largely drawn from the sector and if it doesn’t perform the ultimate veto is available via subscription.
However, I fail to see the circumstances in which this might arise given the focused objectives of the new organisation which are binding under charities law. Also, in simple terms, it is a matter of trust given to fellow museum professionals.
As a board member standing down after six years, I would commend the change to all in Scotland and ask for trust and patience as the new organisation moves to develop the delivery plan for the national strategy through consultation with the sector.
John Stewart-Young, FMA
This is vital for our sector to make continued progress particularly in this difficult economic climate where value for money means that every penny is under scrutiny and any funding from the Scottish government must show the widest possible social value.
Museums Galleries Scotland (MGS) has been instrumental in guiding the development of the strategy and now it is crucial that it changes from its former role to become the new national development body (NDB).
The current constitution of MGS as a membership organisation is not sustainable as a sector lead organisation. It must reconstitute as a charitable organisation where its directors become the members to enable it to become the NDB that can be responsive enough to deliver, with power vested in the board to make decisions.
I understand the misgivings of some but the board will still be largely drawn from the sector and if it doesn’t perform the ultimate veto is available via subscription.
However, I fail to see the circumstances in which this might arise given the focused objectives of the new organisation which are binding under charities law. Also, in simple terms, it is a matter of trust given to fellow museum professionals.
As a board member standing down after six years, I would commend the change to all in Scotland and ask for trust and patience as the new organisation moves to develop the delivery plan for the national strategy through consultation with the sector.
John Stewart-Young, FMA
