ACE appoints museum development partners

Five regional providers have been appointed to deliver Arts Council England's Museum Development programme for 2024 to 2026.

ACE has said the new streamlined programme – there were previously nine regional providers – will "ensure the delivery of Let’s Create" and focus "on the cultural potential of local communities". 

A national programme – Museum Development England – will bring together the delivery partners to share insights and learning.

The partners are: Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust and Leicestershire County Council; Museum of London; York Museums Trust in partnership with Tyne & Wear Archives Museums and the Manchester partnership and Cumbria Museums Consortium; Norfolk Museums Service with Brighton & Hove Museums; and Bristol City Council.

Emmie Kell, Director of Museums and Cultural Property, Arts Council England, said: “We know how important museums are to their communities and all they do to help tackle isolation, build connections, foster creativity and instil a strong sense of place. 

"The Museum Development Programme is an essential part of the Arts Council’s development offer for museums."

“All the partners within the programme have extensive skills, local knowledge and on the ground relationships, which will be vital in helping museums respond to challenges and opportunities to face the future with confidence.”