Once an object has been accepted in lieu, it is allocated by the Minister to a suitable museum or gallery. MLA's AIL Panel provides the Minister with advice on the allocation of all objects, other than manuscripts, which have been accepted in lieu. (In the case of manuscripts, allocation recommendations are made by the Historical Manuscripts Commissioner at The National Archives.) Where an offer has been made with a condition that it be allocated to a particular institution and the Minister has agreed to the allocation, the object is immediately transferred to that institution as soon as the offer is completed.
In making a case for allocation the applicant should address first and foremost the issue of how the public will be given access to the item. Where it is consistent with the conservation requirements of the object, the normal expectation is for open public display. How the item would fit in with the existing collection of the applicant should also be considered, along with its use in their educational programme.
MLA strongly encourages museums and galleries which have not previously received an object accepted in lieu to consider making applications, especially where the item has been accepted without a wish as to allocation.
Objects available for permanent allocation (PDF 12KB)
How to Apply
If a public museum or gallery wishes to apply for permanent allocation of any of these objects it should send its application to Gerry McQuillan. The application should address the following three areas:
- How the object you are applying for is appropriate to your collection and the context of the object within the permanent collection of the applicant.
- How public access will be provided. For items accepted in lieu the presumption must be that they will be on open public display for the majority of the time, subject to conservation restraints for those items which are sensitive to light. Details should also be given as to what access arrangements would be put in place when not on display, if appropriate and how members of the public are made aware of these.
- The educational programme of the applicant and how the object would be integrated into that programme.
Please send a copy of your application both by email to gerry.mcquillan@mla.gov.uk and a hard-copy to AIL Panel Secretariat, MLA, Wellcome Wolfson Building, 165 Queen’s Gate LONDON, SW7 5HD. The hard-copy should be signed by the appropriate person in the museum or gallery.