Two news items affect the cultural heritage sector in Wales recently, with the findings of a new independent report on the future delivery of local museum services in Wales being accepted by the Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism (Ken Skates) and \u00a32.3 million being granted for improving museum, library and archive services across the country, which will also help in enhancing access to digital heritage resources.<\/u><\/p>\n
The Welsh Government writes:
\n<\/u>The Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Ken Skates, yesterday agreed to develop the recommendations of an independent report on the future delivery of local museum services in Wales.<\/p>\n
The Expert Review of Local Museum Provision in Wales was commissioned in autumn 2015 to look at the impact funding cuts and organisational changes by local authorities are having on local museums.\u00a0 <\/strong>The panel produced their final report last August and set out ten recommendations for securing the future delivery of local museum services.\u00a0<\/u><\/p>\n The Deputy Minister has agreed to a range of measures and a refreshed Strategy for Museums in Wales will be developed to take these forward.\u00a0 The actions include working with the sector to establish Collections Wales, to develop and safeguard collections across the country, and commissioning a review of museum entry charges to establish clarity for the sector and for visitors. \u00a0This will not change the Welsh Government\u2019s policy of free entry to National Museums.<\/p>\n The Welsh Government will also work with the WLGA to look at the feasibility of creating Regional Bodies to provide operational direction, management and support for local museums. The steering group which oversaw the first national strategy for museums in the UK will also be developed to meet the recommendation to establish a national Museums\u2019 Council.<\/p>\n The Deputy Minister said: \u2018Local museums are assets to our communities. They are a great educational tool, providing hands on learning, with exhibitions that can be seen and touched. They bring our past to life. They\u2019re also an important contribution to our tourism industry.\u00a0 As most rely heavily on local authority budgets, this is a particularly vulnerable time for these institutions. I felt it was important we had clear recommendations on how local museums can continue to thrive in the face of decreasing budgets.\u00a0 I am pleased that we are taking forward the recommendations of the review\u2019s panel. This will require partnership working and a commitment from the whole sector. It\u2019s also important to note the responsibility local authorities have to protect our heritage. We expect them to set out their intentions for museum services and consider all options when reviewing their funding for these important services.\u2019<\/p>\n View the press release on the museum report<\/a><\/p>\n View the press release on museum funding<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Two news items affect the cultural heritage sector in Wales recently, with the findings of a new independent report on the future delivery of local museum services in Wales being accepted by the Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism … Continue reading