Geraldine Kendall Adams, Wales considers recognition scheme for non-national collections, Museums Association, 26 November 2024

Initiative would provide formal recognition and statutory protection for significant collections.

The Welsh Government is hoping to introduce a scheme to formally recognise significant collections held in non-national museums.

Similar to England’s Designation Scheme and Scotland’s Recognition Scheme, the initiative would provide recognition and statutory protection for collections of outstanding importance in Wales.

The government has commissioned Headland Design Associates to develop proposals for how such a scheme might work.

The research will draw on previous consultations about a national recognition scheme, as well as building on the government’s recently published Collections Significance Assessment Toolkit, which includes a defining status action plan designed to help museums identify significant collections of objects.

The work began in October and will run until March 2025. The team say they are keen to hear from people working in museums that have collections of national significance, or that have used the new toolkit to help demonstrate significance.

A number of focus groups will be held as part of the research; those interested in being part of these should email [email protected].

Meanwhile the Welsh Government has also appointed contractors to undertake two further pieces of research into the capital needs of the local museums sector.

The research aims to provide the government with a greater understanding of the capital requirements of the non-national museum sector in Wales so that it can plan strategically, focus and prioritise available resources, and support the sector effectively.

Headland Design Associates has been appointed to lead research around capital needs to improve gallery displays and exhibition spaces. This will include needs such as redisplays and reinterpretation, exhibition cases, and improving access.

Purcell Architects has been appointed to lead research around capital needs for infrastructure and at-scale maintenance works, including needs such as roofs, boilers and lifts.

Both contractors will be gathering information from Accredited museums through online surveys and site visits.