Arts council reopens Designation Scheme after review

Arts Council England has reopened the Designation Scheme to new applications for museums, libraries and archives. 

The scheme, which launched in 1997 to recognise and celebrate collections of national and international importance, now has a refreshed application process developed to address feedback on the scheme, identified by a review undertaken to better understand its value. 

The reworked Designation Scheme has a streamlined Stage 1 process that asks applicants to demonstrate how their collection meets the Designation criteria, such as the scope and scale of the collection, or its national significance.   

The new process also asks applicants to demonstrate the place-based significance of their collections, meaning how the collection engages audiences or helps to create a sense of identity for local people and communities. 

There are currently 164 Designated collections across England including archives, collections of art history, literature, theatre and economics, and cover topics from the history of transportation to the medical profession.

The aim of the scheme is to raise the profile of these collections, providing organisations with a focus for advocacy and strengthened support from their governing bodies.  

Nick Merriman, chair of the Designation Scheme, said: “Arts Council England’s Designation Scheme is unique, helping us to recognise outstanding collections across museums, libraries and archives and fostering pride across public collections in England.   

“I’m really delighted that the scheme is reopening for new applications, and as chair of the Designation Panel I’m looking forward to receiving applications that recognise nationally significant collections of all types, shapes, and sizes.  

“It is an exciting opportunity for us to identify even more outstanding collections, raise their profile and highlight their cultural value.”