Alistair Hardaker | Image: Stromness Museum visitors (Stromness Museum / Rebecca Marr)
MGS reveals headline figures from upcoming sector survey as it argues for greater investment in its Museum Futures programme
According to a sector survey conducted by Museums Galleries Scotland (MGS), 17% of museum-operating organisations in the country fear their venue could be forced to close within the next year.
MGS presented its new sector survey findings to MSPs at the Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee on Tuesday. The results are part of scrutiny preceding the Scottish Government’s Budget 2027-28.
Headline figures from the same sector survey, yet to be published in full, suggest that 40% of organisations hold three months or less of reserves.
The felt risk of imminent closure has increased in the last four years. In its 2024 survey, 11% of organisations responding to MGS said they felt they were at risk of closure within 12 months. In 2022 that figure was 10%.
MGS chief executive Lucy Casot told MSPs that Scotland’s museums need multi-year funding to build on their success and reduce these figures.
Casot said in a statement: “The evidence we are seeing is clear: the challenge is not a lack of demand for museums. It is the growing gap between what museums are being asked to deliver and the resources available to do it.”
Casot pointed to the success of Museums Galleries Scotland’s Museum Futures programme, which distributes grants and support to help museums build long-term resilience.
In its first year, the programme has supported 58 organisations and distributed £3.5m of its £4m government funding. MGS now says the Scottish Government needs to “move beyond short-term programme funding”, and establish a multi-year commitment to the programme.
MGS notes that of around £70m in additional culture funding announced by the Scottish Government in recent years, just £4m has been directed to non-national museums, via Museum Futures.
“Museum Futures is showing us what we need to do to support the sector”, said Casot.
“Stable, multi-year funding would give museums the confidence to plan, retain skilled staff, invest in their buildings and collections, and continue developing the services their communities value.”
The Scottish Government will present its 2027-28 Budget to Parliament on Thursday 3 December 2026.
The MGS pre-budget scrutiny 27-28 document is available here.
