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Arts Council England Relaunches Designation Scheme

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Arts Council England has re-opened the Designation Scheme to highlight the quality of outstanding regional museums.

The Designation Scheme is open to new applications for museums, libraries and archives looking to raise the profile of a collection. The scheme, which has been operating since 1997, now has a refreshed application process which has been developed to address feedback on the scheme, identified by a review which was undertaken to better understand its value.

The reworked Designation Scheme has a streamlined Stage 1 process which asks applicants to demonstrate how their collection meets the Designation criteria, such as the scope and scale of the collection, or its national significance.

The new process also asks applicants to demonstrate the place-based significance of their collections, meaning how the collection engages audiences or helps to create a sense of identity for local people and communities.

There are currently 164 Designated collections across England, including archives, collections of art history, literature, theatre and economics, and cover topics varying from the history of transportation to the medical profession. The aim of the scheme is to raise the profile of these vital collections, providing organisations with a focus for advocacy and strengthened support from their governing bodies.

Chair of the Designation Scheme, Nick Merriman said:

“Arts Council England’s Designation Scheme is unique, helping us to recognise outstanding collections across museums, libraries and archives and fostering pride across public collections in England.

“I’m really delighted that the scheme is reopening for new applications, and as Chair of the Designation Panel I’m looking forward to receiving applications that recognise nationally significant collections of all types, shapes, and sizes.

“It is an exciting opportunity for us to identify even more outstanding collections, raise their profile and highlight their cultural value.”

If you’d like to know more MDM is holding a Coffee and Connect on Thursday 12 September focussing on the Designation Scheme. Aysha Afridi, Senior Manager- Museums and Cultural Property, Arts Council England will share details of the scheme, and how museums of all sizes can apply to have their collections designated. Find out how to attend this Coffee and Connect.

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