Leicestershire County Council, as current providers of the Museum Development East Midlands programme, is delighted to announce that between 2024 and 2026 it will partner with Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, which runs the West Midlands Museum Development programme, and combine forces to deliver a region wide Museum Development Midlands.
Today Arts Council England has announced that it will give a grant of £571,420 per year for two years to this new Midlands programme to fund its work providing business development support to museums and their workforces across the Midlands. The Midlands programme will support museums to consider and mitigate risks and explore and respond to opportunities. Activities will support the workforce to develop creative and dynamic practice which will ultimately benefit individuals, local communities and the heritage and cultural sector.
Emmie Kell, Director of Museums and Cultural Property, Arts Council England, said: “We know how important museums are to their communities and all they do to help tackle isolation, build connections, foster creativity and instil a strong sense of place. The Museum Development Programme is an essential part of the Arts Council’s development offer for museums.
“We are delighted to be announcing our Museum Development partners across England who will help to deliver a refreshed Museum Development programme from April 2024”.
“All the partners within the programme have extensive skills, local knowledge and on the ground relationships which will be vital in helping museums respond to challenges and opportunities to face the future with confidence.”
We will continue to provide support under the existing programme until April 2024, whilst working hard behind the scenes to put the infrastructure in place for the new Midlands team.
