Recognition Scheme
This Scottish Government scheme managed by Museums Galleries Scotland recognises collections of national significance held by Scotland’s non-national museums and galleries.
Douglas Connell is chair of the Recognition Committee. The other members of the committee are Patricia Andrew, Herbert Coutts, Simon Fairclough, Alexander Hayward, Duncan Mackay and Evelyn Silber.
See the biographies file for details of the committee and notes for reports of meetings.
Twenty-two applications were received in Round 1 and, following the assessment process, the first announcements were made: ten unique collections from museums and galleries across Scotland were deemed significant to the nation. For details, see the recognised collections.
Round 2 allowed for partnership applications. Partners were expected to demonstrate that a particular ‘distributed’ collection is managed in a coordinated way and that its status is recognised by partners and key stakeholders.
The case for recognition is made by providing hard evidence through the descriptions, information and citations made in the application form and through any supporting information provided as appendices to the application.
Additionally, partnership applications are expected to demonstrate the following:
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that the collection is acknowledged as a coherent unit by all the partners and key stakeholders
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that, as such, the collection is managed and in a coordinated manner across all the partners
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it is acknowledged by the partners as a single distributed unit in relevant policy documents, e.g. acquisition and disposal, conservation plan, documentation plan etc.
There are many collections that may not be ready to apply as part of a partnership but there will be more rounds so now is the time to develop working relationships.
Starting in 2009 there will be a single annual round of applications to the scheme. The application deadlines for Round 4 are as follows:
Round 4
Deadline for Notes of Interest: 30 January 2009
Workshop: w/b 16 February 2009
Deadline for submitting the completed application: 26 June 2009
Announcement of decision: late October 2009
Applicant Guidance, Note of Interest and Application Forms for Round 4 are available to download:
Round 4 Applicant Guidance - pdf / WORD
Round 4 Note of Interest - pdf / WORD
Round 4 Application Form - pdf / WORD
For the answers to some queries about the scheme, see the Frequently Asked Questions or contact Recognition Scheme Manager Mike Taylor. T: 0131 550 4137
Custodians of Recognised Collections receive specially designed plaques and certificates to display at their venue and have the opportunity to bid for Recognition funding to undertake a project to increase accessibility to their collections and improve how they are cared for. For details of projects awarded funding, see the Recognition Scheme funding awards.
Telephone: 0131 550 4100
Email: [email protected]