Museums Galleries Scotland

🏳️⚧️ We’re decorating the office with transgender pride flags for International Day of Transgender Visibility! At MGS, we’re working to create a more inclusive organisation for trans, non-binary, and genderfluid people. Inspired by the University of Leicester’s trans-inclusive guidance for heritage organisations, we’re in the early stages of implementing an internal LGBTQ+ action plan. We’ve created guidance on personal pronouns for staff, undertaken LGBTQ+ awareness training, added personal pronouns to the staff pages on our website, and replaced gendered signage in our office. It’s our aim to be an organisation where everyone feels safe, supported, and included. We’re achieving this by committing to Fair Work, anti-oppression, and equal opportunities in all areas of our work, as well as delivering on the Diversity and Inclusion objectives of Scotland’s Museums and Galleries Strategy. We’ve still got a long way to go, but we’re proud to be making progress. #InternationalDayOfTransgenderVisibility #LGBTQInclusion #FairWork

📰 We've been working with VisitScotland and The Times on a marketing and PR campaign to help raise the profile of the sector. An online article showcasing a selection of museums and galleries across Scotland is now live and you can view it here: https://lnkd.in/efN6NwNG 🗣️ The article features insights from staff at Dundee Heritage Trust and KILMARTIN MUSEUM COMPANY LTD who share what they love about their places of work. Other featured museums include: Dovecot Studios National Museums Scotland Paxton House Glasgow Life Scapa Flow Museum Gairloch Museum Aberdeen Maritime Museum The R&A World Golf Museum There will be a similar print article going live on 30th March, highlighting a different selection of Scottish venues. Readers will be directed to our #MuseumsAreGo page: https://lnkd.in/ePFJrYy9 📸:Gairloch Museum. Credit: Marc Atkins

📝In 2024, the Scottish Government accepted recommendations from The Empire, Slavery and Scotland’s Museums Steering Group (ESSM) on how museums can address Scotland’s involvement in empire, colonialism, and historic slavery. A new phase of work to deliver these recommendations has begun. The Steering Group will continue to provide their expertise, and have transitioned to a committee offering guidance and support on the development of the Scottish Museum of Empire, Slavery, Colonialism and Migration (SMESCM). In this blog, Salma Ali and Grace Browne, Co-Lead Coordinators for the newly established Scottish Museum of Empire, Slavery, Colonialism and Migration (SMESCM), discuss how the work of Empire, Slavery & Scotland’s Museums enters a new phase of delivery and help set out how the museum can become a more accessible and representative space. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/ekFBsuNV

🏺 OPPORTUNITY | Celebrate and support Scotland’s nationally significant collections as Chair of the Recognition Scheme. The Recognition Committee is #recruiting an experienced and energetic Chair to lead their meetings, engage with Recognised Collection holders, and advocate for their work. Applications close April 14th 2025. To find out more and apply, visit: https://lnkd.in/ecUkzAyw Managed by MGS on behalf of The Scottish Government, the Recognition Scheme promotes and invests in nationally significant collections held outside the nationally funded museums and galleries in Scotland. The Scheme helps to make sure that these important collections are identified, cared for, protected, and promoted to a wider audience. To date, 51 collections across Scotland have been recognised as being of national importance.

We’re saddened to learn of the death of Christina McKelvie MSP, who served as Culture Minister for the Scottish Government from 2023 to 2024. Christina worked closely with MGS in this role, supporting museums and advocating for a fairer, more inclusive museum sector. A conscientious follower of the Empire, Slavery & Scotland's Museums project, she oversaw the Scottish Government’s acceptance of the ESSM Steering Group’s recommendations in January 2024. Our CEO Lucy Casot said: “Christina’s role in accepting the ESSM recommendations was a milestone for the museum sector. This was one of many highlights from her time as Culture Minister, with the Scottish Government celebrating the success of Scotland’s Year of Stories and awarding additional funding to build the resilience of Scotland's museums and galleries. On behalf of everyone at MGS, I extend my sympathies to Christina's family and loved ones at this time.” 📸: Christina McKelvie MSP, fourth from the right, at The Hunterian in January 2024 for the Scottish Government's acceptance of the Empire, Slavery, & Scotland's Museums Steering Group recommendations.

📢 We are pleased to provide 5 - 8 bursaries for members of the museum sector workforce to attend this year's AMA Conference, which takes place in Edinburgh this year. Priority will be given to people who work or volunteer in independent or local authority / ALEO-run museums or galleries. The conference is aimed at individuals working in marketing, communications, PR, digital, or leadership roles. Find out more on AMA's website: https://lnkd.in/gi_hKWV

📅Our events and training page has a range of talks, workshops, conferences, and training sessions aimed at the museum sector workforce. Find out what's on offer: https://lnkd.in/enwGcDzF Upcoming events include: 2nd April | Culture & Business Scotland: Sponsorship for rural organisations 3rd April | Culture & Business Scotland: Philanthropy across the pond with Chapel & York 3rd April | Robert Gordon University: Talking about prisons project: Prison museums and social interaction 24th April | Culture & Business Scotland: Disability Equality Training 1st May | Scottish Heritage Social Media Group: BlueSky 101 for the heritage sector

🏆 Enter your venue or members of your workforce by 28 April for a chance to win at this year's Scottish Thistle Awards. Last year's winners included Dundonald Castle & Visitor Centre and Trimontium Museum 👏

💼Our jobs and opportunities page promotes #FairWork approved roles in the Scottish heritage sector. Live roles include: 👥 Board Trustees at The Scottish Museum of Empire, Slavery, Colonialism and Migration 🏛️ Chair, Museum Accreditation – Museums and Cultural Property Arts Council England 💡 Learning and Engagement Volunteer at the Museum of the Royal Regiment of Scotland Find out more on our website👉 https://buff.ly/3QBLrTH #MuseumJobs #ScottishMuseums #VolunteeringScotland

💡 Neurodiversity: Navigating Strengths, Challenges, and Support in the Workplace In honor of Neurodiversity Celebration Week, MGS Business Administration Assistant Keira Easton shares her experiences as an Autistic person with ADHD. She discusses the positive impact of open conversations about her neurodiversity at work and highlights the importance of providing proper support to ensure neurodiverse employees feel celebrated and valued. 🔗 You can find out more about her story and reflections on navigating neurodiversity in the workplace by visiting our website: https://lnkd.in/dVVw-puP #NeurodiversityCelebrationWeek #Neurodiversity #Inclusion #WorkplaceSupport