The Museums Association’s (MA) first online consultation on the review of the code of ethics closed in February.
We received responses from museums, archives and libraries of all types and sizes,
as well as from consultants, freelancers, volunteers and academics across museum disciplines, and from the public.
In addition to the online consultation, we have heard your views at members’ meetings and consultation workshops across the country. To date, more than 1,000 people have taken part in the review.
So what have we learned? You told us you want a code that builds on the existing guidelines and that continues to support ethical decision-making.
We also heard your concerns about new developments in the sector. Collections at risk, social impact, digital media and commercial sponsorship all loomed large.
Your responses also emphasised how important it is that the MA champions ethics to maintain public trust and support.
After weeks of evaluation, flow charts and many cups of tea, the MA’s policy team, in collaboration with other sector organisations, has produced a first draft of the new code
of ethics.
It seeks to help people who work in, and with, museums to make the right decisions now and for the long term.
It will be online later this month, so visit our website, click on the link and tell us what you think.
The final code will be formally endorsed at the MA’s annual conference in Birmingham in November.
Emma Faulkner is a former policy intern at the Museums Association
We received responses from museums, archives and libraries of all types and sizes,
as well as from consultants, freelancers, volunteers and academics across museum disciplines, and from the public.
In addition to the online consultation, we have heard your views at members’ meetings and consultation workshops across the country. To date, more than 1,000 people have taken part in the review.
So what have we learned? You told us you want a code that builds on the existing guidelines and that continues to support ethical decision-making.
We also heard your concerns about new developments in the sector. Collections at risk, social impact, digital media and commercial sponsorship all loomed large.
Your responses also emphasised how important it is that the MA champions ethics to maintain public trust and support.
After weeks of evaluation, flow charts and many cups of tea, the MA’s policy team, in collaboration with other sector organisations, has produced a first draft of the new code
of ethics.
It seeks to help people who work in, and with, museums to make the right decisions now and for the long term.
It will be online later this month, so visit our website, click on the link and tell us what you think.
The final code will be formally endorsed at the MA’s annual conference in Birmingham in November.
Emma Faulkner is a former policy intern at the Museums Association
