Designation

The Designation Scheme aims to identify and celebrate the pre-eminent collections of national and international importance held in England's non-national museums. The Scheme is administered by MLA on behalf of the Department of Culture, Media and Sport. The Scheme was launched in 1997 by the Museums and Galleries Commission on behalf of England's Museums. Designated collections represent a vital part of our national cultural and artistic heritage. MLA is committed to the continued celebration and promotion of these extraordinary assets, so they can be fully enjoyed by many generations to come.

The Designation Challenge Fund was created by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport in 1999 to provide support for the caring for and interpreting the collections in the Designation Scheme. To date over £20 million has been awarded.

A review of the Designation Scheme and the Designation Challenge Fund began in 2001 to establish the Scheme's impacts and benefits and to determine whether Designation should be extended to Archives and Libraries.

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