The Designation Scheme identifies the pre-eminent collections of national and international importance held in England's non-national museums, libraries and archives, based on their quality and significance. These inspiring collections represent a vital part of our national cultural and artistic heritage.

The scheme was launched in 1997 and now recognises 138 collections held in museums, libraries and archives.

The Designation development fund will invest £1.7 million in projects that ensure the long-term sustainability of these Designated collections, and which maximise their public value and the sharing of best practice across the sector.

Through these projects, museums will be supported to increase resilience and sustainability. This will enable greater audience enjoyment with collections which play a vital role in England's cultural life.

Designation development fund

Organisations applied for up to 12 months' project funding for work starting between October and December 2012, with applications for grants of between £40,000 and £90,000.

The successful organisations sharing the £1.7 million will use this money to improve their collections for the benefit of their audiences, improve enjoyment, understanding and engagement, while at the same time increasing their resilience and sustainability.

The museums awarded Designation development funding are:

  • Beamish The Living Museum of the North
  • Black Country Living Museum
  • Bristol City Council
  • Derby City Council
  • Horniman Museum and Gardens
  • Leeds City Council
  • Mary Rose Trust
  • Museum of English Rural Life
  • Museum of the History of Science
  • National Motor Museum Trust
  • Northamptonshire Borough Council
  • Oxford University Museum of Natural History
  • Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology
  • Pitt Rivers Museum
  • Plymouth City Council
  • Porthcurno Telegraph Museum
  • Royal Engineers Museum, Library and Archive
  • Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum
  • Shakespeare Birthplace Trust
  • Sir John Soane's Museum
  • Tank Museum
  • The Library and Museum of Freemasonry
  • Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums
  • Weald and Downland Open Air Museum
  • Wiltshire Heritage Museum

The following libraries will share an additional £28,401 of Designation development funding:

  • Westminster Reference Library
  • Birmingham Central Library
  • Bristol Central Library

For more information on individual awards download a spreadsheet of the successful projects.

Further information

To find out more about Designation, visit the Designation page of our website.