Arts Council England appoints four new Designation Panel Members

Arts Council England has appointed four new members to its Designation Panel.

Katie Eagleton, Belinda Day, Janet Dugdale and Hugh Maguire bring a wealth of skills and experience from across the museums and cultural sectors. 

The Designation Scheme recognises cultural collections of outstanding importance based on their quality and significance – collections that help deepen our understanding of the world – held in non-national museums, libraries and archives across England. These vital collections are located in rural and urban centres right across the country, from Cornwall to Suffolk, and the South Coast to Cumbria.

The Designation Panel members, who work across the fields of arts, cultural heritage and historical research, meet twice a year to consider applications for Designated status.

Dr Nick Merriman, Chair of the Designation Panel said:

“I am delighted to welcome Katie, Belinda, Janet and Hugh to join the Designation Panel.  They join a group of passionate and experienced cultural professionals who are deeply committed to enabling museums, libraries and archives to highlight their outstanding collections, and I am thrilled to have them on board.”

Emmie Kell, Director for Museums and Cultural Property, Arts Council England, said:

“The Designation Scheme plays a vital role in the Arts Council’s ambition to ensure our nation’s collections are protected, celebrated, and enjoyed by generations to come. I’m delighted to welcome Katie, Belinda, Janet and Hugh to the panel; the scheme will benefit greatly from their joint experience and expertise.”

Find out more about the Designation Scheme and the Panel members >