Museum & Ethics update

Last month I blogged about the Museums Association (the trade body for UK museums) disciplining Croydon Museum over the proposed sale of some of its valued ceramic collection. Before action could be taken the museum’s governing body, the London Borough of Croydon, resigned their Museums Association membership. Virtually all publically funded museums are members of the Association, and only a handful of museums have been ejected or resigned before being expelled, as was likely with Croydon. The impact is mainly reputational, however Croydon may face more significant sanctions from the Arts Council who manage museum Accreditation, the nationally recognised museum standard scheme. Losing this status could effect future grant funding awards. Although at the moment the Arts Council have made no public announcements to date.