Our role is to ensure that all the collections are maintained to
recognised professional standards in terms of Collections
Development and Collections Care.
We are involved in establishing and maintaining strategies,
policies, procedures and programmes of work for the management of
our collections, their storage, associated functions and
facilities. Our remit also includes the maintenance and
documentation of the collections to established standards using
appropriate terminology and images.
The department is organised as four specialist sections:
- Collections Care
- Collections Development
- Loans
- Photography
We are responsible for administering the National Fund for Acquisitions, which makes
grants supporting acquisitions to Scottish museums and
galleries.
Collections Management department
Wendy Turner: Head of Collections Management
Specific responsibility: Overall responsibility
for the departmental collections and general policy
Collections Development
This section manages the policies, procedures and standards
relating to Collections Development. This involves documentation,
acquisitions, disposals and information storage issues. The section
also manages strategic projects to standardise information within
the NMS Collections Information System (AdLib).
- Pam Babes, Collections Development Manager
- Jo Macrae, Acquisitions Officer
- Stuart Brown, Documentation Officer
- Stuart Johnston, Collections Management Assistant
- Collections Management Assistant (post vacant)
Collections Information System
Responsible for the Collections Information System (AdLib) and
digital programmes that support collections management
functions.
- Angus Kneale, Collections System Manager
Collections Care
This section manages the policies, procedures and standards
relating to Collections Care. Specifically this involves the
section in managing storage, object movement and handling,
preventive conservation, environment and security for the
collections. It also develops strategic planning and resources for
collections care in liaison with curatorial departments,
conservation and facilities management.
- Helen Spencer, Collections Care Manager
- Katie Simes, Preventative Conservator
- Katherine Mercer, Collections Management Assistant
- Sarah Brown, Collections Management Assistant
Loans
This section facilitates both incoming and outgoing loans
requests for exhibitions and displays. The loans section
co-ordinates NMS resources and is responsible for the practical
arrangements from the security and venue facility assessments, to
packing, transport and arranging insurance or Government Indemnity.
This ensures that NMS maintains accountability for its collections
whilst outside the museum and for objects on loan to NMS
- Lyn Wall, Loans Manager
- Michelle Forster Davies, Loans Manager
- Yvonne Brownlee, Loans Officer
Photography
This section provides a photographic service to all departments.
This includes object photography for record, conservation and
publication purposes. The Section also undertakes specific imaging
projects in house and in partnership, and is involved in
digitisation projects.
- Neil McLean, Lead Photographer
- Joyce Smith, Photographer
National Fund for Acquisitions
This section manages and administers the National Fund for
Acquisitions on behalf of the Scottish Executive. The Fund is
available to assist registered/ accredited museums in Scotland to
make acquisitions for their collections. Hazel advises on all
aspects of the grant application process, in consultation with
expert advisers from within NMS, the National Galleries of Scotland
and the National Library of Scotland.
- Hazel Williamson, NFA Manager
Clare McIntyre: Department Administrator
Can be contacted on 0131 247 4073 or c.mcintyre@nms.ac.uk