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Museums think tank
15/09/2009
The group that will make recommendations on the future direction of the museums sector was convened for the first time today, at a meeting chaired by the Culture Minister Michael Russell.
The Museums Think Tank is comprised of 10 museum experts from institutions across Scotland. The members are:
- Jim Arnold: Director, New Lanark Trust
- Stewart Brymer: Chairman, Dundee Heritage Trust
- Bailie Liz Cameron: Chair, Culture and Sport Glasgow
- John Leighton: Director General, National Galleries Scotland
- Frank Little: Museums Manager, City of Edinburgh Council
- Gordon Rintoul: Director, National Museums Scotland
- Rachel Skene: Development Officer, Strathnaver Museum
- Ewen Smith: Director, Hunterian Museum and Gallery
- Jim Tildsley: Director, Scottish Maritine Museum
- Sharon Webb: Director & Curator, Kilmartin House Museum
Members sit on the group to offer their skills and experience rather than to represent individual bodies. Establishment of the Think Tank - which will work towards a draft national strategy for the sector - was one of the key outcomes of the Museums Summit held earlier this summer.
It was agreed today that the Think Tank will present recommendations at a second gathering of museum representatives next spring.
Culture Minister Michael Russell said:
"Since becoming Culture Minister, I have been frank about my concern for the future well-being of Scotland's museums sector. There are long-standing and well-known issues which deserve and require the attention of the whole museums community.
"The Museums Summit was our first step in addressing these issues. It brought together representatives from right across Scotland's museums sector and agreed that a coherent national strategy is required if we are to address the challenges currently facing the sector.
"My clear message today was that the Think Tank should not be constrained by conventional thinking and existing structures. A solution to the issues facing Scotland's museums will not come easily and I have told the group that we must be completely open-minded and look at all opportunities for both what can be achieved, and how we can achieve it.
"I would like to thank the individuals who have volunteered to serve on this Think Tank. With such a breadth of talent and experience from across the sector, I hope that this group will present some innovative, exciting and practical ideas which will form a coherent new approach."
In making its recommendations, the Museums Think Tank has been asked to consider, but not be limited by, four key challenges for the museums sector. Those challenges are: articulating the sector's contribution to Scottish society; the balance between local authority, national and independent provision; making the best use of limited resources through collaboration and setting priorities; and a sustainable future for all Scotland's industrial collections.
Today's meeting was held in the University of Glasgow's Melville Room. Meeting locations will vary according to the needs of the group and the nature of the work it is undertaking at the time. The Think Tank will meet every four to six weeks.