Accreditation Support

**UPDATE ON 2017 REVIEW**

During 2017, the Arts Council and its partners will be undertaking a light-touch review of certain aspects of the Museum Accreditation scheme. For more information click here.

All museums in the East of England who will be affected by the review and offered a 12 month extension, have now been contacted. These museums are listed in the document below:

What is Accreditation?

Museums Accreditation is the UK standard for museums and galleries endorsed by Arts Council England, Museums Galleries Scotland, Museums Archives and Libraries Wales (a division of the Welsh Government) and Northern Ireland Museums Council.

It defines good practice and identifies agreed standards, thereby encouraging development. It is a baseline quality standard that helps guide museums to be the best they can be, for current and future users.

Accreditation is widely credited with playing an important role in raising standards in museums since its introduction. As an agreed standard with a badged award, Accreditation is understood within the sector, but also by relevant funding bodies and governing bodies as the mark of a responsible museum. Accreditation has an emphasis on effective forward planning to build relevance and resilience.

What other sources of information are available?

The Accreditation Scheme is managed directly by Arts Council England and detailed requirements on the scheme, including how to apply and accompanying guidance can found via the Arts Council website from the following links:

• The Accreditation Standard 2011
• The Accreditation guidance documents
• Museum mentor FAQs and handbook
• Accreditation statistics

Accreditation Advice for the East of England 2015-18

From April 2015 to 31 March 2018 Accreditation technical advice service for museums in the East of England will be provided through the SHARE Museums East museum development programme.

If you have read the Accreditation guidance documents and require further advice and support in applying to or renewing Accreditation you can contact us via email at [email protected].

Further support is available at a county level from our network of Museum Development Officers/Managers. Visit the County Links page for contact details and more information.

Many of the development opportunities offered through SHARE Museums East will support museums achieve or maintain Accreditation, either directly or indirectly, as will many of the resources available on the website.

The below courses and events are linked directly to the Accreditation Standard. Click on an event to find out more.