Guest blog by Peter Davies, Cultural Policy Advisor on Big Society, Private vs Public Sector and where he sees it going. 

Despite what some people and commentators may say, the museum sector as a whole is relatively resilient, as a sector it has survived largely unscathed and unchanged through several recessions, world wars and political swings.  In fact, it is fair to say that the museum sector has been one of the more steady sectors, at least in the UK, over the last century or so.

Maintaining this status quo of core values and beliefs that form the museum sector has long been the heart and soul of our institutions, and this is pretty much summed up in the 1998 Museum Association’s definition of a ‘museum’:

Museums enable people to explore collections for inspiration, learning and enjoyment. They are institutions that collect, safeguard and make accessible artefacts and specimens, which they hold in trust for society

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