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Museums Association
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Membership organisation and network for everyone working in museums and heritage 🤝 based in the UK 📍 museumsassociation.org
News | Objections raised to British Museum’s visitor pavilion and landscaping plans

Conservation groups are concerned the development will cause an 'unacceptable level of harm'
Objections raised to British Museum's visitor pavilion and landscaping plans - Museums Association
Conservation groups are concerned the development will cause 'unacceptable level of harm'
www.museumsassociation.org
February 6, 2026 at 8:00 AM
News | Ironbridge Gorge to lose 47 roles after National Trust transfer

Trust plans new 'economically viable' operating model for site when it takes over in March
Ironbridge Gorge to lose 47 roles after National Trust transfer - Museums Association
Trust plans new 'economically viable' operating model for site when it takes over in March
www.museumsassociation.org
February 5, 2026 at 4:09 PM
News | London Museum workers vote to strike over pay – but Tate dispute is resolved after staff accept improved offer
London Museum workers vote to strike over pay - Museums Association
But Tate dispute is resolved after staff accept improved offer
www.museumsassociation.org
February 5, 2026 at 3:30 PM
News | Report highlights state of England’s cultural infrastructure

£7bn is needed for repairs, maintenance and renewal
Report highlights state of England's cultural infrastructure - Museums Association
£7bn is needed for repairs, maintenance and renewal
www.museumsassociation.org
February 5, 2026 at 3:06 PM
News | Historic Royal Palaces appoints director of palaces and collections

Melissa Hamnett to lead on collections strategy and major projects at the institution
Historic Royal Palaces appoints director of palaces and collections - Museums Association
Melissa Hamnett to lead on collections strategy and major projects at the institution
www.museumsassociation.org
February 5, 2026 at 1:00 PM
We’re delighted that Hannah Crowdy, head of curatorial at National Museums NI, has been elected as Northern Ireland trustee on our Board.

An AMA mentor and previously a member of the MA’s Ethics Committee, Hannah is invested in our campaigns and work, spearheading and advocating for them.
Hannah Crowdy elected to MA Board - Museums Association
The head of curatorial at National Museums NI has been elected as our Northern Ireland trustee
www.museumsassociation.org
February 5, 2026 at 12:27 PM
Spotlight | Greener exhibition design 🌲

Designers share their work to improve the environmental sustainability of exhibitions
Spotlight | Greener exhibition design - Museums Association
Exhibition designers share their work to improve the environmental sustainability of exhibitions
www.museumsassociation.org
February 4, 2026 at 11:02 AM
News | Ditchling Museum of Art + Craft to close for ‘period of reimagining’

Staff at risk of redundancy as East Sussex museum announces temporary shutdown due to economic challenges
Ditchling Museum of Art + Craft to close for ‘period of reimagining’ - Museums Association
Staff at risk of redundancy as East Sussex museum announces temporary shutdown due to economic challenges
www.museumsassociation.org
February 3, 2026 at 3:03 PM
News | Museums to take part in AI marketplace pilot

Creative Content Exchange aims to provide access to public data and cultural assets
Museums to take part in AI marketplace pilot - Museums Association
Creative Content Exchange aims to provide access to public data and cultural assets
www.museumsassociation.org
February 3, 2026 at 2:27 PM
Tomorrow! Who's joining us for Moving on Up 2026? 🚀

MoU is our essential careers event, with workshops, panels and break-outs giving you a motivation boost and helping you identify areas for progress, develop your networks and discover how you can demonstrate your impact in the sector.

Book now 👇
Moving on Up 2026: Making an Impact With Your Career - Museums Association
Are you ready to take the next step in your career? Moving on Up 2026 is the essential conference to …
www.museumsassociation.org
February 3, 2026 at 1:14 PM
Analysis | The gifts that keep on giving 🎁

The London-based national museums’ investment in US-style philanthropy models is paying off, with the National Gallery recently securing the two largest-ever single cash donations to a museum globally
The gifts that keep on giving - Museums Association
The London-based national museums’ investment in US-style philanthropy models is paying off, with the National Gallery recently securing the two largest-ever single cash donations to a museum globally
www.museumsassociation.org
February 3, 2026 at 10:05 AM
News | UK museum leaders hail China visit

Delegation accompanied prime minister Keir Starmer to Beijing and Shanghai
UK museum leaders hail China visit - Museums Association
Delegation accompanied prime minister Keir Starmer to Beijing and Shanghai
www.museumsassociation.org
February 2, 2026 at 5:22 PM
News | Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA) staff seek ‘urgent clarity’ as Glasgow venue enters liquidation

Workers say they were told of redundancy with just a day’s notice
CCA staff seek ‘urgent clarity’ as Glasgow venue enters liquidation - Museums Association
Workers say they were told of redundancy with just a day’s notice
www.museumsassociation.org
February 2, 2026 at 4:51 PM
Analysis | What’s behind the sluggish recovery in visitor numbers? 📊

Although the sector is seeing positive signs, footfall has been slow to return to normal after Covid. Amid changes in visitor behaviour and an oversaturated market, creativity and risk-taking are key to standing out
What's behind the sluggish recovery in visitor numbers? - Museums Association
Although the sector is seeing positive signs, footfall has been slow to return to normal after Covid. Amid changes in visitor behaviour and an oversaturated market, creativity and risk-taking are key to standing out
www.museumsassociation.org
February 2, 2026 at 10:22 AM
Last chance to get 15% off your new membership and 30% off the first year of your AMA 💸

Make the most of our new year offer and grab the deal (including *all* new memberships) by 11.59pm on 31 January 🗓️

Get your membership: https://ow.ly/BE7o50Y5xKz
Start your AMA: https://ow.ly/Ek6u50Y5xKx
January 29, 2026 at 5:27 PM
News | US museums under pressure amid growing unrest and ideological interference

Minneapolis venues shut down in ICE protest as federal museums face ‘troubling and dangerous’ White House demands
US museums under pressure amid growing unrest and ideological interference - Museums Association
Minneapolis venues shut down in ICE protest as federal museums face ‘troubling and dangerous’ White House demands
www.museumsassociation.org
January 29, 2026 at 4:27 PM
News | Cathy Putz appointed director of Ben Uri Gallery

Putz to work on delivery of museum’s recently announced digital research institute
Cathy Putz appointed director of Ben Uri Gallery - Museums Association
Putz to work on delivery of museum’s recently announced digital research institute
www.museumsassociation.org
January 29, 2026 at 2:44 PM
News | New research to shape ‘music-led’ visitor experience in Birmingham

Birmingham Museum partners on project celebrating city’s musical heritage
New research to shape ‘music-led’ visitor experience in Birmingham - Museums Association
Birmingham Museum partners on project celebrating city’s musical heritage
www.museumsassociation.org
January 29, 2026 at 10:52 AM
News | DCMS to review exclusion of national museums from new restitution rules

‘Unusual’ use of government powers questioned by legal experts and sector bodies
DCMS to review exclusion of national museums from new restitution rules - Museums Association
‘Unusual’ use of government powers questioned by legal experts and sector bodies
www.museumsassociation.org
January 29, 2026 at 10:29 AM
Thank you if you joined us at Breaking Barriers: Radical Curatorial Practice today!

If you're feeling inspired, don't forget that it's one week until we meet again for Moving on Up 2026: Making an Impact With Your Career – we'll see you there to talk all things professional development 🚀
Moving on Up 2026: Making an Impact With Your Career - Museums Association
Are you ready to take the next step in your career? Moving on Up 2026 is the essential conference to …
www.museumsassociation.org
January 28, 2026 at 4:15 PM
Opinion | Membership is broken. How can we fix it?

Membership schemes can no longer be seen as a passive income source – to survive, they need active investment, says MHM director Guy Turton.
Membership is broken. How can we fix it? - Museums Association
Membership schemes can no longer be seen as a passive income source – to survive, they need active investment
www.museumsassociation.org
January 28, 2026 at 11:42 AM
Meet the panel shaping MA Conference 2026: Museums Connecting Communities 🔌

We create a panel of museum, arts and heritage professionals for all our annual conferences, and they help ensure the event is inclusive, engaging and reflective of the nation or region where it's being held.

#Museums2026
Conference panel - Museums Association
The panel helps shape the conference and ensures that it is an inclusive and engaging event
www.museumsassociation.org
January 28, 2026 at 11:28 AM
Obituary | Clare Gittings, 1954-2025

Clare was a talented, generous and thoughtful colleague whose passion and knowledge inspired many others.
Obituary | Clare Gittings, 1954-2025 - Museums Association
Clare was a talented, generous and thoughtful colleague whose passion and knowledge inspired many others
www.museumsassociation.org
January 27, 2026 at 3:30 PM
News | Legislation clears the way for Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre

Bill receives Royal Assent as institutions mark Holocaust Memorial Day 2026

#HMD2026 #HolocaustMemorialDay

The Wiener Holocaust Library, Holocaust Centre North
Legislation clears the way for Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre - Museums Association
Bill receives Royal Assent as institutions mark Holocaust Memorial Day 2026
www.museumsassociation.org
January 27, 2026 at 3:03 PM
Join us tomorrow for Breaking Barriers: Radical Curatorial Practice 🚧

With the growth in participatory practice and the drive to tell wider and more inclusive stories with our collections, this event explores how the role of the curator is evolving.

Book now from £36 👇
Breaking Barriers: Radical Curatorial Practice - Museums Association
Image: The Reading Room (c) Tim Soar With the growth in participatory practice and the drive to tell wider and …
www.museumsassociation.org
January 27, 2026 at 1:57 PM