NMDC Documents and Publications
Some of these files are also available in PDF format which is more suitable to printing out and reading. To view or print these you will need to have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed.
- NMDC Newsletters
A monthly update on NMDC activity and news about current issues affecting the museums, libraries and archives sector.
- Private Giving for the Public Good
In April 2008 leaders of Britain’s major cultural institutions launched a new manifesto, Private Giving for the Public Good, opening a nationwide campaign to encourage a culture of giving to the arts and heritage.
-
Museums and Galleries in Britain: Economic, Creative and Social Impacts
A report by Tony Travers, London School of Economics (December 2006).
-
Values and Vision: The Contribution of Culture
In June 2006 leading organisations from across the cultural sector joined together for the first time to publish a vision for the future and a plan of action. In a joint document, Values and Vision: The Contribution of Culture, the organisations call for a new settlement with government so that Britain can maintain its position as a world-class culture.
- Attitudes of Parents towards Museums
Research by MORI examining parental attitudes towards the importance of museums as a resourch for educating children and the role of museums in providing objective information.
- Manifesto for Museums
In March 2004 museums across the country have joined together to publish A Manifesto for Museums, calling for a five-year programme of investment to sustain their current success and build for the future.
- The Impacts and the Needs - A summary of Findings
Highlights the key findings from the three 2004 reports and sets out the funding needs of the national museums.
Download summary document (422KB PDF)
- Valuing Museums
Published in March 2004. This report written by Tony Travers of LSE and Stephen Glaister of Imperial College details the economic, educational and broader cultural impact of the national museums and galleries.
Download full report (PDF 2.9MB) - Museums & Galleries: Creative Engagement
Published March 2004. Written by Ricky Burdett of the LSE Cities Programme, uses case studies to illustrate how national museums, libraries and archives engage in a huge range of innovative activities with different communities across the UK, from business and science to youth and fashion.
Download full report (PDF 3.4MB) - National Dimensions
Published in March 2004. This report by AEA Consulting, examines the many forms of collaboration between national museums and the rest of the sector, noting just how much joint activity is underway at any one time
regeneration across the nation. 
Too Much Stuff? Disposals from Museums
Published in October 2003, this document contributes to the important, but often muted, debate on disposals from museum collections.
Loans Between National and Non-national Museums: New Standards and Practical Guidelines
Published in September 2003, this document aims to facilitate greater access to the national collections. (PDF 377KB)
International Dimensions
This report published in June 2002 charts for the first time the extensive international activity of the UK national collecting institutions. The report highlights the importance of the National Museums contributions to the international arena and the potential for the future. (Press Release)
A Netful of Jewels: New Museums in the Learning Age
A report published by the NMDC in June 1999 which looks at the potential contribution of museums to the new learning networks.
(PDF 1.7MB)
- NMDC Annual Report - October 2002
A review of NMDC's activity over the past 18 months.
- Freedom of Information Publication Scheme Template
Drawn up by the Museums and Galleries Freedom of Information Working Group.
- Collaboration between National and Regional Museums
Summary (PDF) Full Report (Word)
The National Museum Directors' Response to the EU Directive on Harmonisation of Copyright and Related Rights (Acrobat PDF)
- Progress Report on UK Museums' Provenance Research for the Period 1933-1945