Collections Network

The Collections Fund has contributed significantly to sector learning as our funded projects often take leading approaches to engagement and collections work.

People from our projects come together for regular meetings as the Collections Network: for participants this results in peer support and sharing learning; and for us it allows informal monitoring and gathering information for wider learning dissemination.

Since 2017 the network has included open sessions for all MA members exploring relevant themes and topics through Collections Fund projects. In the last five years, Collections Network meetings have had an average of 30 attendees (for in-person events), with variation according to where in the UK the event has been held.

Events have been held in the following locations: 

• London
• Oxford
• Leeds
• Manchester
• Birmingham
• Glasgow
• Cardiff
• Newcastle
• Belfast
• Derby
• Edinburgh
• Bristol

Since the pandemic, the Collections Network began to meet online, with thematic discussions around relevant topics for the sector such as decolonisation and digital engagement.