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Recognition for key collections
21/01/2008
Ten museum and gallery collections have been identified as being nationally significant under a scheme to recognise important works to Scotland.
The Recognition Scheme is managed by the Scottish Museums Council on behalf of the Scottish Government, and is designed to identify and support collections of national signifiance held in Scotland's non-national museums and galleries.
The latest Recognised Collections of National Significance are:
- The entire collection of Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums
- The Fine and Decorative Art Collection of Dundee City Museums Collection
- The Whaling Collection of Dundee City Museums Collection
The Jute Collections of Dundee Heritage Trust
The RRS Discovery and her associated polar collection of Dundee Heritage Trust
The entire collection of Glasgow Museums
The Paisley Shawl Collection of Renfrewshire Arts and Museums Service
The Chemistry Collection of the University of St Andrews
The Heritage Collections of the University of St Andrews
The Historic Scientific Instruments Collection of the University of St Andrews
Minister for Culture Linda Fabiani said:
"I am delighted that these ten collections have achieved Recognition status. These collections are important, not only to their local communities but to Scotland as a whole, and should be shared with as many people as possible.
"I look forward to seeing increased public access to these collections of national significance."
Douglas Connell, Chair of the Recognition Committee, which oversees the Recognition of collections of national significance, said:
"To achieve Recognition status, the applicants had to demonstrate theuniqueness, authenticity, comprehensiveness, and national value of their collection. The scheme has highlighted the incredibly high standard of the collections held by museums and galleries across Scotland and we hope that achieving Recognition status will help to attract more visitors both locally and from further afield.
Joanne Orr, CEO of the Scottish Museums Council said:
"This is great news for Scotland as it shows that we have important collections located all around the country. The Recognition Scheme is helping to ensure these important collections are identified, cared for, protected and promoted to a wider audience and is creating greater access to important collections."
The announcement brings the number of Recognised Collections of National Significance across Scotland currently to 27.