Museums Galleries Scotland (formerly Scottish Museums Council) is the representative body and membership organisation for Scotland's 342 non-national museums. The member museums include 137 local authority museums and galleries, and 170 independent museums (many of which are staffed by volunteers) as well as regimental and university museums. In 2000-2001, Museums Galleries Scotland received approximately 75% of its income from the Scottish Executive and the remainder from membership subscriptions and fees for services such as conservation. We have 27 staff based in Edinburgh and shares a Museums Officer post based in Inverness with Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
Our mission is to achieve the best possible museum and gallery provision in Scotland for the public benefit. Our strategic objectives are to:
- promote recognition of the essential role played by museums in the life of Scotland
- promote the role of museums in contributing to the learning society
- make museums more socially inclusive and accessible
- develop a national strategy for a sustainable museums network in Scotland and make sure this is implemented
- enable museums to develop their potential by promoting good management, high professional standards and the effective use of good resources
- operate effectively and efficiently and always provide value for money in our activities.
Interpretation has a key role to play in achieving these strategic objectives. Our role in interpretation is as an enabler not a provider, primarily helping members to become aware of good practice, training and grant opportunities. The remit sits within the Stewardship Team alongside other museum practice remits, and does not have a dedicated staff officer.
Museums Galleries Scotland administers grants, and distributed a total of £209,500 in grant-aid to member museums in 2000-2001. Our main grants programme includes a category dedicated to interpretation, display and publications. Projects which use interpretive techniques to increase access can be considered in the our Access Challenge Fund.
A recent Museums Galleries Scotland initiative has been to commission and publish a basic guide to increasing access by using interpretation. The publication A closer look: increasing access through interpretation, written by Dan Hillier, provides step-by-step guidance on interpretive planning for museums. It is available free of charge from our office. Telephone: 0131 229 7465.
E-mail: inform@scottishmuseums.org.uk