Alistair Hardaker | Image:
Research analysing 30 museums identifies characteristics of flourishing institutions, including diagnostic framework, case studies and toolkit.
The Association of Independent Museums has released a suite of resources designed to help museums transition from reactive crisis management to proactive resilience in an increasingly volatile operating environment.
Fragile to Flourishing: Museum operating models in an uncertain world provides practical tools for institutions looking to build sustainable, entrepreneurial approaches. The work, commissioned by AIM with support from Arts Council England and DCMS, was conducted by Alchemy Research and Consultancy.
The package includes four interconnected resources: a full research report analysing 30 museums to identify characteristics of flourishing institutions; detailed case studies from eight museums including The Bowes Museum and Mary Rose; a practical toolkit for reflection and testing new approaches; and a diagnostic framework allowing museums to assess their current position across eight key areas.
The research moves away from traditional operating models that many institutions are finding difficult to maintain. By adopting what the report calls “a growth mindset and systemic thinking”, museums can shift from firefighting toward long-term influence and stability.
AIM will present the research findings at a free online session on 19 March 2026. The event will explore the diagnostic framework and demonstrate how museums can apply the accompanying toolkit to test new ideas and approaches.
All four resources are available to download from the AIM website.
