Museums' international activity

In April 2010 NMDC embarked on a new project looking at the international work of its members.  UK museums are involved in a huge range of projects and partnerships with organisations all over the world.  International activity includes:

• International loans and touring exhibitions
• Partnership working to share skills and expertise and to run joint research and conservation projects
• Contributing to cultural diplomacy - building relationships with organisations in countries where formal government relations are difficult
• Involvement in international showcase events such as expos and biennales
• Providing commercial consultancy services.

NMDC is undertaking a survey of its members’ international work, to understand the current spread and types of international activity as well as different approaches to working internationally.  The project findings will allow us to open a dialogue with Government departments beyond DCMS, to discuss the value of museums’ international work and how ministers and policy makers can most helpfully support museums’ international activity. 

The project also aims to help NMDC members to learn from each other and explore potential for collaboration on international projects, and to promote best practice across the museum sector by highlighting excellent and innovative projects.  

Findings of the project will be published in Autumn 2010. 

For further details please contact Suzie Tucker, NMDC Projects and Policy Officer: suzie.tucker@nationalmuseums.org.uk / 020 7942 5388.