What we do

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.

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2012 Programme

The MLA wants the Cultural Olympiad to transform the way people experience museums, libraries and archives.

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Museums at Night

Museums at Night is a national campaign to showcase the unique and vibrant museums, galleries, heritage sites, libraries and archives in the UK. Building on the success of 2009's events, 2010's after-hours celebration of collections will run from Friday 14th May to Sunday 16th May. Museums and galleries alike will aim to inspire fresh discovery by opening their doors to late night visitors and...

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Accreditation Scheme

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.

Driving best practice

MLA’s best practice case studies are designed to inspire the sector and provide evidence of how museums, libraries and archives actively contribute towards meeting the varied needs of local communities.

Raising standards

Through highlighting best practice, supporting improvement, and running schemes such as Accreditation and Designation

Research

Research is a vital part of the MLA's work, designed to produce the evidence to discover what impact our sector makes and what...

Programmes

MLA manages, funds and leads on major programmes and strategic initiatives to develop the sector

Developing policy

The MLA plays an active role in the development of national and regional policy, helping ensure museums,libraries and archives...

Funding and support

The MLA supports the sector in a variety of ways, ranging from financial grants for improvement and other projects, through to

Strategies

The MLA works in partnership with government, agencies, key organisations and local government to devise national strategies to...

Cultural property

MLA is widely engaged in promoting and protecting our cultural heritage. This includes servicing export licensing, the acceptance

MLA Publications

MLA publish a large range of publications, most of which can be downloaded from this site.

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