Museums Association

27 Aug

MA Conference 2026: Museums Connecting Communities 🤝 The museum event of the year is coming on 2-4 November – make sure you don't miss out. Tickets are on sale now to join us in Birmingham or online from just £60: www.museumsassociation.org/events/confe...

museumsassociation.orgMoves | First chief executive appointed for Moseley Road Baths - Museums AssociationWorthing Theatres & Museum, National Museums NI and V&A Dundee also announce appointments

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News: Moves | First chief executive appointed for Moseley Road Baths Worthing Theatres and Museum, National Museums NI and V&A Dundee also announce appointments

museumsassociation.orgManchester Museum unveils partnership with Indian science centre - Museums AssociationCollaboration with the Science Gallery Bengaluru will focus on young people and environmental action

News | Manchester Museum unveils partnership with Indian science centre Collaboration with the Science Gallery Bengaluru will focus on young people and environmental action

museumsassociation.orgHalf-term strike at V&A suspended after unions receive improved offer - Museums AssociationStaff halt planned industrial action to enable further talks to take place

News | Half-term strike at V&A suspended after unions receive improved offer Staff halt planned industrial action to enable further talks to take place Prospect Union, Public and Commercial Services Union

museumsassociation.orgRemoval of mummified remains from display sparks public debate - Museums AssociationKelvingrove and Hunterian are among several museums rethinking their treatment of human remains

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News | Removal of mummified remains from display sparks public debate Kelvingrove and Hunterian are among several museums rethinking their treatment of human remains

museumsassociation.orgAnnual Reports and notice of AGM - Museums AssociationOur previous and future work and details of this year’s Annual General Meeting

With MA Conference 2026 just around the corner, it’s time for members to take a look at our Annual Report 2025/26 and vote in our Annual General Meeting and presidential election 🗳️ Our latest annual report details our work for 2025/26 across the UK, and also contains the agenda for this year’s AGM.

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The AGM session will take place in Birmingham next week, and members can take part by registering to attend our annual conference either in person or digitally. If you are not attending the conference, you are also welcome to visit for the AGM session on the day or view proceedings via our website.

Members will also be able to use the MiVoice platform to take part in our presidential election. There are two candidates for the role of president, chosen from within existing trustees, to serve a term from April 2027 to March 2030. Check your email or our website to find out more 🔗

museumsassociation.orgAnnual Reports and notice of AGM - Museums AssociationOur previous and future work and details of this year’s Annual General Meeting

Our independent voting provider MiVoice allows all MA members to vote before and during the AGM session at our annual conference on 3 November 2026. If you’re a member, you should have already received an email about this from MiVoice.

10 days to go until MA Conference 2026: Museums Connecting Communities 🔗 Over three days of panels, workshops, keynotes, tours and more, we’ll explore how museums are helping to restore civic pride, create hope and encourage social change by forging more meaningful links with their communities.

As the sector rethinks what museums can and should be, we discuss what a resilient, inclusive and innovative museum looks like in the 21st century and how we can operate sustainably, ethically and collaboratively.

museumsassociation.orgConference 2026: Museums Connecting Communities - Museums AssociationCome to conference to be part of the conversation and leave with… Conference is for and of the people who make up our unique sector, so making it accessible for all is key. We offer in-person and dig...

The great news is that it’s not too late to join us. In-person and digital tickets are still available, whether you want to meet us in Birmingham or stream from your bedroom. Find out more via the conference section of our website and book your place now 🎟️

museumsassociation.orgFour in the running for UK City of Culture crown - Museums AssociationMuseums and galleries are playing a key role in the bids

News | Four in the running for UK City of Culture 2029 crown Museums and galleries are playing a key role in the bids

museumsassociation.orgFree-entry museums to benefit from new business rates policy after landmark tribunal ruling - Museums AssociationInstitutions across England expected to see significant reductions thanks to change in Valuation Office approach

News | Free-entry museums to benefit from new business rates policy after landmark tribunal ruling Institutions across England expected to see significant reductions thanks to change in Valuation Office approach

museumsassociation.orgRoyal Armouries to restructure due to rising operating costs - Museums AssociationThe museum is consulting staff on proposals to reduce wage bill by 9%

News | Royal Armouries to restructure due to rising operating costs The museum is consulting staff on proposals to reduce wage bill by 9%

The MA website is currently undergoing essential maintenance. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and hope to be back up and running again as soon as possible. Please check back here for more updates.

Update: the downtime is now over and the site should be back as normal. Thanks for your patience!

museumsassociation.orgBuilding the museum before the building exists - Museums AssociationFive years on from the Black British Museum/Museum X takeover edition of Museums Journal, the question is no longer whether a Black British Museum is needed. The question is what kinds of social relationships, infrastructures and experiments are required to build one

Five years on from the Black British Museum/Museum X takeover edition of Museums Journal, the question is no longer whether a Black British Museum is needed. The question is what kinds of social relationships, infrastructures and experiments are required to build one. Museums Journal feature 👇

We’re at Worcester Cathedral to talk all things museums with @wmheritage.bsky.social today! If you’re in the area, drop by to chat with us about careers, development, membership and more — and grab a discount code while you’re here.

museumsassociation.orgHow are you using AI? Take part in Museums Journal’s new survey - Museums AssociationHelp us build a picture of AI use, attitudes and impact in the UK museum sector

How are you using AI? 💻 Last chance to take part in Museums Journal's survey - submit your response by the end of the day and help us build a picture of AI use, attitudes and impact in the UK museum sector.

museumsassociation.orgWelsh Museums Festival celebrates 12th year - Museums AssociationMore than 60 venues taking part in a week-long programme of events, exhibitions and other activities

News | Welsh Museums Festival celebrates 12th year More than 60 venues taking part in a week-long programme of events, exhibitions and other activities

museumsassociation.orgStudent blockade forces Louvre to close as disorder continues across France - Museums AssociationA group of around 50 protesters barricaded the Paris museum this week

News | Student blockade forces Louvre to close as disorder continues across France A group of around 50 protesters barricaded the Paris museum this week

museumsassociation.org'Braver, more accessible and more sustainable': funding boost for museums in Leeds - Museums AssociationTwo institutions in Yorkshire’s biggest city announce future developments

News | ‘Braver, more accessible and more sustainable’: funding boost for museums in Leeds Two institutions in Yorkshire’s biggest city announce future developments

museumsassociation.orgArts Council England opens applications for five-year National Portfolio - Museums AssociationArm’s-length body sets out new approach to regional engagement as it launches new-look funding programme

News | Arts Council England opens applications for five-year National Portfolio Arm’s-length body sets out new approach to regional engagement as it launches new-look funding programme

museumsassociation.orgCall for case studies on museums tackling the climate crisis - Museums AssociationShowcase your good practice by sharing your story with us

Call for case studies on museums tackling the climate crisis 🌍 We’re looking for case studies demonstrating how UK museums are taking action to address the climate crisis. Case studies can cover net-zero initiatives, community engagement projects, school programmes and beyond. Submit yours 👇

It’s just two weeks until we touch down at the Rep Theatre in Birmingham for MA Conference 2026: Museums Connecting Communities 📍 Restoring civic pride. Creating hope. Encouraging social change. Come with us as we celebrate how museums are finding innovative ways to show up for their communities.

If you’ve been thinking about joining us, now’s the time to book your place to attend in person. Secure your ticket, arrange your travel and then let the excitement build for impactful sessions, workshops, networking, socials and tours over three days.

Be at the heart of the action from Monday 2 to Wednesday 4 November – in-person tickets start from £190 for a single day and £265 for the whole conference 🎟️ Book now 👇

museumsassociation.orgStolen Renoir paintings recovered after museum burglary in France - Museums AssociationSix suspects have been arrested following the theft of two paintings from the Renoir Museum in Cagnes-sur-Mer

News | Stolen Renoir paintings recovered after museum burglary in France Six suspects have been arrested following the theft of two paintings from the Renoir Museum in Cagnes-sur-Mer

museumsassociation.orgEngland’s museums positive about the year ahead despite rising costs, survey finds - Museums AssociationNew research shows signs of resilience and growth – but mixed picture for visitor numbers and volunteering

News | England’s museums positive about the year ahead despite rising costs, survey finds New research shows signs of resilience and growth – but mixed picture for visitor numbers and volunteering

museumsassociation.orgBlockbuster exhibitions: what happens when the crowd gets too big? - Museums AssociationPopularity must go hand in hand with meaningful engagement, says Justin Langshaw

Opinion | Blockbuster exhibitions: what happens when the crowd gets too big? Popularity must go hand in hand with meaningful engagement, says Justin Langshaw

museumsassociation.orgOur response to the Senedd’s Finance Committee consultation on the Welsh Government draft budget 2027-28 - Museums AssociationWe highlighted the financial pressures of rising costs and demonstrated how museums contribute to the delivery of government priorities

Our response to the Senedd’s Finance Committee consultation on the Welsh Government draft budget 2027-28 📝 We highlighted the financial pressures of rising costs, demonstrated how museums contribute to the delivery of government priorities and reiterated the need for multi-year funding 👇

museumsassociation.orgNew arts council chair pledges to grow investment in diverse-led organisations - Museums AssociationIn her first public speech, Dawn Airey has warned that racial inequalities and discrimination persist in the cultural sector

News | New Arts Council England chair pledges to grow investment in diverse-led organisations In her first public speech, Dawn Airey has warned that racial inequalities and discrimination persist in the cultural sector

museumsassociation.orgLondon’s oldest restaurant served up to National Trust - Museums AssociationRules restaurant in Covent Garden has been gifted to the charity to preserve its ‘living history’

News | London’s oldest restaurant served up to National Trust 🍽️ Rules restaurant in Covent Garden has been gifted to the charity to preserve its ‘living history’

museumsassociation.orgA long time coming | Black British heritage moves centre stage - Museums AssociationThe UK has few standalone spaces dedicated to Black history, but this could all change in the coming decade, with several important museum developments gathering pace

Analysis: A long time coming | Black British heritage moves centre stage The UK has few standalone spaces dedicated to Black history, but this could all change in the coming decade, with several important museum developments gathering pace

museumsassociation.orgOur response to the consultation on National Lottery Good Causes: Fund What Matters to You - Museums AssociationHighlighting the importance of lottery funding to the sector and making our recommendations on culture and heritage

Our response to the consultation on National Lottery Good Causes: Fund What Matters to You ☑️ We highlighted the impact of lottery funding on the sector, while offering our recommendations on work with communities and advocating for a simplified funding process. Read the full response 👇

Five days left to respond to our survey on museums using AI 5️⃣ Over the past few years, a new generation of artificial intelligence (AI) tools has emerged. These are being used in multiple ways across the UK’s museum and heritage sector, including research, cataloguing and communications.

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The results will be presented at forthcoming MA event Intelligent Futures: Understanding the Impact of AI (online, 9 December), and published in the January/February 2027 issue of Museums Journal. Our findings will also inform the work of our newly established AI and Ethics Expert Working Group.

museumsassociation.orgHow are you using AI? Take part in Museums Journal’s new survey - Museums AssociationHelp us build a picture of AI use, attitudes and impact in the UK museum sector

This survey is aimed at individuals currently working in or with the museum and heritage sector, including third-level students, apprentices and volunteers. It should take approximately 10 minutes to complete. The deadline for responses is Tuesday 20 October 2026. Take the survey 👇

This snapshot survey for Museums Journal aims to build a picture of how museum and heritage professionals in the UK are currently using AI, what benefits or drawbacks they have experienced, their attitudes to the technology, and how they expect it to affect the sector in the future.

The state of pay | Tell us about salaries in your organisation 💷 Since 2004 the Museums Association has conducted sector-wide research into pay in museums, and our next update is underway. Our findings and recommendations are used across the sector for information, advocacy and development.

museumsassociation.orgThe state of pay | Tell us about salaries in your organisation - Museums AssociationTake part in this year's questionnaire to inform our research on pay in the sector

We want to hear from you – our pay questionnaire is still open, so make sure your organisation responds by 30 October. We need as many responses as possible to ensure we have a strong dataset that supports our recommendations to the sector. Find out more and get in touch if you’re yet to respond 👇

museumsassociation.orgHanging by a thread | How restitution is bringing lost Indigenous practices back to life - Museums AssociationMany traditional skills struggled to survive colonial disruption, but communities are showing how the return of ancestral objects can spark cultural renewal

Hanging by a thread | How restitution is bringing lost Indigenous practices back to life 🪡 Many traditional skills struggled to survive colonial disruption, but communities are showing how the return of ancestral objects can spark cultural renewal

museumsassociation.orgCharity trustee opportunity | Members Support Fund - Museums AssociationWe are looking for two new members to join the existing committee, bringing an understanding of charitable giving

Charity trustee opportunity | Members Support Fund 🤝 The MSF exists to support MA members facing financial difficulties and to provide financial support for professional development. We are looking for two new members to join the fund's existing committee – find out more and apply by 15 November 👇

museumsassociation.orgQ&A | 'Despite their global importance, natural science collections remain difficult to access' - Museums AssociationSarah Addezio tells about DiSSCo UK, an ambitious new initiative to unite the UK's natural history collections in a single digital space

Q&A | ‘Despite their global importance, natural science collections remain difficult to access’ 🐞 @nhm-london.bsky.social’s Sarah Addezio tells Museums Journal about DiSSCo UK, an ambitious new initiative to unite the UK's natural history collections in a single digital space.

New ableism and wellbeing research out now 👇 In 2022, we conducted sector-wide research to identify the current state of individual wellbeing within the museum workforce. The research informed the launch of a wellbeing campaign and our continued work in this area. Thread 🧵

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museumsassociation.orgAbleism and wellbeing - Museums AssociationOur research and recommendations to improve the experience of disabled museum professionals

We’re sharing a research report and a recommendations report so that individuals, leaders and managers, organisations and the sector as a whole can reflect and act: amplifying their commitment, improving the experience of disabled museum professionals, and creating inclusive and diverse museums.

With many thanks to @tamsincrussell.bsky.social and @emilyautism.bsky.social 🙌

However, within the research, we found that disabled museum professionals were underrepresented. To address this, we held two discovery discussion sessions in March 2026 to provide a platform for disabled museum professionals to explore and reflect on their individual and collective experiences.

The goal was to gain a greater understanding of specific issues and contexts, to assess what these mean for the sector, and to identify how the MA can effectively support individuals impacted.