MLA

About museums

About museums

Our diverse museum sector makes a valuable and unique contribution to the well being of the country and its people.

There are 2500 museums in the UK. Four out of five of the UK’s top tourist attractions are museums.

Renaissance

Renaissance is the MLA’s ground-breaking programme to transform England’s regional museums. Central government funding since 2002 is enabling regional museums across the country to raise their standards and deliver real results in support of education, learning, community development and economic regeneration.

National museums strategy

We have developed a national museums strategy which identifies the special contribution museums make to society. It sets out our vision of what museums should be aiming to achieve and looks at the particular roles played by the sector, MLA and DCMS in delivering that vision.

Latest News

Responsibilities transfer

From 1st October 2011, this site will not be updated, so please treat it as the static archive it is. This is because <a target="_Blank" href="http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/">Arts Council England</a> has now taken over museums and libraries responsibilities. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/">The National Archives</a> has assumed responsibility for strategic leadership of the Archives sector. Arts Council responsibilities will also now include the Renaissance programme, Museum Accreditation, and Library Development, together with cultural property services such as Export Licensing and the Acceptance in Lieu scheme. The National Archives has assumed responsibility for providing strategic leadership to the archives sector and advising government on its development. The MLA is now winding down, with a skeleton staff remaining until May 2012 to complete the management of existing Renaissance contracts, complete outstanding financial and contractual arrangements and prepare for the appointment of a liquidator. This website will remain live until 31st March so that the public still has full access to the material on it – good practice case studies, toolkits, guidance and a range of other publications.  Continue reading

  • Related links

  • renaissance

    Renaissance is the MLA’s ground-breaking programme to transform England’s regional museums. Central government funding is enabling regional museums across the country to raise their standards and deliver real results in terms of education and regeneration in local communities.

  • accreditation

    MLA's Museum Accreditation Scheme sets out nationally agreed standards for museums in the UK. There are currently over 1800 museums participating in the Scheme, demonstrating their commitment to managing collections effectively for the enjoyment of all communities.

  • designation

    MLA’s Designation Scheme identifies the pre-eminent collections of national and international importance held in England's non-national museums, libraries and archives.

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Sector Statistics

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