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Accreditation
Accreditation is the national scheme that ensures museums throughout the UK achieve agreed levels of competence in governance, management of collections, services and facilities.
When it was introduced in 1988, there was a strong emphasis on collections management and care. The third phase of the programme was launched two years ago with more importance given to learning, access and visitor satisfaction. More than 1,800 museums are currently in the scheme.
“The idea behind Accreditation is that every museum should be capable of meeting the minimum standard whether it is a small community collection with one or two volunteers or a national institution with scores of staff and many thousands of visitors,” said Jerry Weber, senior adviser, quality standards, at the MLA.
Introducing the Scheme
- Read Jerry Weber's introduction to the Accreditation Scheme
- Download the introductory leaflet from MLA
- Find out about the background to the Scheme, what it is and how it works on the MLA website
- Download the Accreditation Standard (MLA)
Accreditation Resource Directory
The Accreditation Resource Directory is a joint initiative between the Collections Trust, CyMAL, the Scottish Museums Council and the English Regional Agencies. The purpose of the Directory is to provide Museum Development Officers, Curatorial Advisers and others with a route map to resources which will help them in their work.
The Directory is fully searchable and is structured around the Accreditation Application Form.
Further Resources
CyMAL: Museums Archives and Libraries Wales has produced an accreditation action plan template and Welsh-language versions of accreditation documents. The action plan is designed to help museums map out a plan for achieving accreditation, either as a new museum or as a registered museum working towards accredited status. A Welsh version of the template is available directly from CyMAL.
- Accreditation action plan (CyMAL)
- Accreditation action plan (CyMAL)
- Accreditation standard (Welsh-language)
- Accreditation application form (Welsh-language)
Additional resources for museums going through the accreditation process, including documents, forms and supporting information, will be made available here soon.
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