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Export licensing

Export licensing

Where possible, we work to keep items of particular cultural significance in the UK. This includes reviewing items due for export and offering tax incentives for individuals and organisations that want to purchase cultural goods.

Colchester & Ipswich Museum Service, young people on tablets.
Photo by Colchester & Ipswich Museum Service. Photo (c) Seana Hughes
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Image of mummy's sarcophagus
Photo by Ancient Worlds at Manchester Museum. Image © Manchester Museum
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Accreditation scheme

Accreditation scheme

We want all museums to be sustainable, focused and trusted organisations, which offer their visitors a great experience. The Accreditation Scheme sets out nationally-agreed standards, which inspire the confidence of the public and funding and governing bodies.

Two children and an adult, cast in silhouette, look at a museum display of model boats.
Photo by Model Boat Case at National Maritime Museum Cornwall. Photo © Harriett Webb / National Maritime Museum Cornwall.
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Museum Development programme

Museum Development programme

We fund a programme of Museum Development which focuses on building the resilience and ambition of non-National museums across England.

Living history at Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust
Photo by Living history at Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust
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Volunteer preparing for costume display - Royal Albert Memorial Museum.
Photo by Volunteer preparing for costume display - Royal Albert Memorial Museum. Photo © Rob Mackenzie
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Tax incentives for acquisition

Tax incentives for acquisition

We want as many people as possible to be able to enjoy important cultural items and collections. These schemes help public collections acquire important items for public enjoyment.

L'Italienne by Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot. Photo: Freud Estate
Photo by L'Italienne by Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot. Photo: Freud Estate
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Kangaroo by Faberge. Photo copyright Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Photo by Kangaroo by Faberge. Photo copyright Victoria and Albert Museum, London
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Museums and Collections at Risk

Museums and Collections at Risk

We have updated our joint statement with 16 museum funders and sector bodies about heritage, museums and collections at risk, outlining our co-ordinated approach to helping organisations at real risk of long-term closure or insolvency.

Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery Image © Birmingham Museums Trust
Photo by Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery Image © Birmingham Museums Trust
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Restitution and Repatriation

Restitution and Repatriation

A Practical Guide for Museums in England

The guidance provides a practical framework for museums to consider and manage potential restitution and repatriation cases.

Restitution and Repatriation: A Practical Guide for Museums in England
Photo by Restitution and Repatriation: A Practical Guide for Museums in England
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More about collections

SSNs support the development, use and wider understanding of collections by sharing knowledge, expertise, and resources with people working with collections.

Man inspects clock through magnifying glass
Photo by Wendy Daws: The Value of Touch. Photo, Gary Weston.
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GIS exists for the UK public benefit. The UK Scheme offers an alternative to the cost of commercial insurance. Its purpose is to facilitate, for the benefit of the public within the UK, the provision of access to cultural objects on loan to UK institutions.

Eden Project © Hufton+Crow
Photo by Eden Project © Hufton+Crow
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Identifying and celebrating outstanding collections, which deepen our understanding of the world and what it means to be human.

A curator handles a piece of fabric in Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery.
Photo by Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery, Exeter City Council Photo © Simon Tutty
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Accredited museums act within an agreed legal and ethical framework and have approved policies for developing their collections.

There are currently 163 Designated collections held in organisations across the whole of England.

Cover of Designated Outstanding collections.
Photo by Designated Outstanding collections.
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Memorandum of Understanding between Arts Council England and Heritage Lottery Fund establishes stronger partnership to support Museums

(L to R) Sir Nicholas Serota, Michael Ellis MP and Sir Peter Luff at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Heritage Lottery Fund. Photo DCMS. 
Photo by (L to R) Sir Nicholas Serota, Michael Ellis MP and Sir Peter Luff at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Heritage Lottery Fund. Photo DCMS. 
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Find out more and apply for The Collections Purchase Fund

Two people looking at objects in a museum
Photo by Salisbury Museum - Wessex Museum Trust Photo © Ash Mills
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Protects objects on loan from overseas from seizure while on temporary public display in the UK

'The Church of Vétheuil painting by Claude Monet
Photo by 'The Church of Vétheuil by Claude Monet. Image © Southampton City Art Gallery.
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Newsletter

Sign up for our newsletter

We publish a quarterly e-newsletter featuring relevant information on our work with collections and cultural property; subscribe today to get further information, guidance and case studies on the support and funds available to organisations with collections — including museums, galleries and archives. 

Apply for funding

Apply for funding

Several of our funding programmes focus on collections and their development

Find out which funds are currently open for applications and apply below.