In August 2000, as part of the National Cultural Strategy, the Scottish Executive set aside �3 million to assist with restructuring the museum sector over a three-year period. Having allocated �420,000 per year to three industrial museums (Scottish Mining Museum, Scottish Fisheries Museum and Scottish Maritime Museum), the Scottish Executive then approached the Scottish Museums Council to lead on developing criteria for distribution of the balance.
SMC held a series of meetings throughout Scotland to consult its membership of 210 organisations on the development of the criteria. A clear consensus emerged that emphasis should be given to a small number of schemes which can achieve real impact and act as pathfinders for others. Three themes were agreed:
It was also agreed that all applications should be:
The Strategic Change Fund was launched in May 2002. The scheme is managed by SMC and funded by the Scottish Executive. Over �1.5 million was available to deliver to successful projects throughout Scotland over a two year period.
For more information about the application process for the scheme please click on the following links:
After three rounds, 13 projects were approved.
