Business Details
Supporting Scotland's Museums and Galleries
Museums Galleries Scotland (MGS) serves as the national development body for Scotland's museum sector, providing strategic investment, expert advice, workforce development, and advocacy. Established to support 455 museums and galleries across Scotland, we work collaboratively to deliver Scotland's Museums and Galleries Strategy 2023-2030, fostering inclusivity, sustainability, and resilience within the sector. Our team of dedicated professionals delivers targeted grants, training programmes, and accreditation support, ensuring museums meet UK standards while addressing contemporary challenges such as climate action and anti-racism. With core funding from the Scottish Government and partnerships with organisations like The National Lottery Heritage Fund, we amplify the sector's voice through advocacy, policy engagement, and knowledge-sharing initiatives.Our commitment to fair work practices, evidenced by Investors in People Gold accreditation and Living Wage certification, underscores our dedication to staff wellbeing and professional growth. Through initiatives like the Museum Futures programme and Delivering Change project, we drive innovation and organisational sustainability, positioning Scotland's museums as dynamic, accessible cultural assets for future generations.
Services
Funding Programmes
Accreditation Support
Workforce Training
Sector Advocacy
Climate Action Guidance
Highlights and features
- We support 455 museums and galleries across Scotland through strategic investment.
- Our team delivers 72+ learning opportunities annually to enhance workforce skills.
- We administer 1.7 million in grants to strengthen museum resilience.
- 257 accredited museums meet the UK Museum Accreditation Standard under our guidance.
- We lead sector-wide initiatives on anti-racism, climate action, and fair work.
Associations and certifications
- Investors in People
- Living Wage Foundation
Services
Funding Programmes
We distribute targeted grants to enhance museum resilience, including 1.7 million awarded in 2024/25 through four funding streams. Our programmes support organisational sustainability, innovation, and strategic priorities outlined in Scotland's Museums and Galleries Strategy. By collaborating with funders like the Scottish Government and The National Lottery Heritage Fund, we ensure museums access critical financial resources.
Accreditation Support
We guide museums through the UK Museum Accreditation Standard, ensuring collections meet national benchmarks. Our support includes advisory resources, training workshops, and application assistance for 257 accredited museums. This framework strengthens governance, collection care, and public engagement across Scotland's cultural sector.
Workforce Training
Our MGS Skills Academy delivers vocational training, including leadership courses and modern apprenticeships. In 2024/25, we provided 72 learning opportunities to build sector expertise in areas like digital marketing, climate action, and anti-oppression practices. These programmes empower museum professionals to address contemporary challenges effectively.
Sector Advocacy
We amplify the museum sector's voice through parliamentary consultations, Scottish Government collaborations, and stakeholder partnerships. Our advocacy ensures museums' strategic priorities shape cultural policy, with 169 site visits conducted in 2024/25 to strengthen sector representation and inform decision-making.
Climate Action Guidance
We help museums achieve net zero targets through the Scottish Museums Climate Network, offering training and resources to 100+ members. Our initiatives align with the Scottish Government's climate emergency goals, providing practical tools for reducing environmental impact while preserving cultural heritage.
People
Lucy Casot
Chief Executive Officer
Lucy leads Museums Galleries Scotland's strategic direction, driving sector transformation through funding, policy, and sustainability initiatives. With extensive experience in cultural leadership, she champions inclusivity and innovation across Scotland's museums.
Eithne N Chonghaile
Head of Communications and Strategy
Eithne oversees MGS's strategic communications, ensuring alignment with Scotland's Museums and Galleries Strategy 2023-2030. She specialises in stakeholder engagement and advocacy, amplifying the sector's impact through targeted messaging and partnerships.
Ashley Wakenshaw
Head of Workforce and Resilience
Ashley leads workforce development initiatives, including the MGS Skills Academy. Her focus on resilience-building programmes ensures museum professionals gain expertise in leadership, climate action, and organisational sustainability across Scotland.
Gillian Simison
Head of Museum Development
Gillian directs museum development projects, supporting accreditation, funding applications, and sector collaboration. Her work strengthens institutional capacity, ensuring museums meet national standards while addressing contemporary challenges.
Duncan Dornan
Chair of the Board of Trustees
Duncan chairs MGS's Board of Trustees, guiding governance and strategic oversight. With a background in cultural heritage, he ensures organisational accountability and alignment with sector priorities through robust leadership.
Questions
How do museums apply for MGS funding?
Museums can apply through our online portal, following guidelines for specific grant programmes like the Small Grants Fund or Museum Futures initiative.
What is the UK Museum Accreditation Standard?
It is a quality framework ensuring museums meet national benchmarks for collection care, governance, and public engagement, supported by MGS advisory services.
Does MGS offer training for museum staff?
Yes, our Skills Academy provides leadership courses, modern apprenticeships, and workshops on topics like digital marketing and climate action.
How does MGS support climate action in museums?
We run the Scottish Museums Climate Network, offering training and resources to help institutions reduce environmental impact and achieve net zero targets.
What is Scotland's Museums and Galleries Strategy?
A 2023-2030 plan to unite the sector around inclusivity, sustainability, and resilience, delivered through MGS-led programmes and partnerships.
How can museums access advocacy support?
MGS represents the sector in parliamentary consultations and Scottish Government discussions, ensuring museums' priorities shape cultural policy.
