LA Reliant Museums Support Programme

In Autumn 2026, Museum Development North intends to launch a new programme designed specifically for Local Authority–owned, funded, or managed museums across the North of England.

We know that museums that rely on Local Authority assets or resources are facing significant pressures and considerable uncertainty.  This makes it hard to lead, sustain and develop high‑quality cultural services.

This programme will offer senior managers and leaders a practical, supportive space to step back, reflect, and build strategic resilience for the months, if not years, ahead. Through a series of workshops, participants will explore key policy developments, strengthen advocacy skills, and gain new tools for vision‑setting, organisational design, and team development. Sessions will be supported by sector experts, stakeholders, and peers who bring real‑world experience of navigating complex organisational change.  Alongside the workshops, an online Action Learning Set will run throughout the year, offering a confidential forum for leaders to share challenges, test ideas, and receive ongoing peer support.

Our aim is to help Local Authority reliant museums not only manage change and uncertainty, but actively shape their future—ensuring they remain vital, resilient, and relevant to the communities they serve.

If your museum is Local Authority–run or reliant and you are responsible for strategic or operational leadership, please talk with your Museum Development Advisor so they can let you know when the programme launches.

Details of how to take part will be available soon.

For more information about his programme, contact Michael Turnpenny michael.turnpenny@museumdevelopmentnorth.org.uk