RAF Museum awarded accreditation accolade

Published on: 7 March 2023

The Royal Air Force Museum is delighted to announce it has been awarded Accredited Museum status by Arts Council England. This seal of approval is recognition of the RAF Museum consistently upholding the Accreditation standards in the running of the Museum, the management of its collections and engagement with its users.

The RAF Museum is the only national museum dedicated to sharing the story of the RAF, and home to the world’s oldest Spitfire and the famous Lancaster bomber ‘S for Sugar’. With sites in both London and the Midlands, the Museum’s vision is to inspire everyone with the RAF story, the people who shape it, and its place in our lives.

Administered by Arts Council England on behalf of the UK Accreditation Partnership, Accreditation is the benchmark for well-run Museums and Galleries.

It means that the RAF Museum is properly managed and governed to the nationally agreed industry standard and shows the Museum takes proper care of its collections, sharing them with visitors and keeping them safe for future generations.

Lancaster at the RAF Museum London

Accreditation opens up exciting funding opportunities, allows museums to host touring exhibitions and gives access to professional advice and support. It also gives confidence to donors and sponsors who may wish to support the museum in preserving heritage and inspiring future generations.

Accreditation covers museums of all types and sizes – from the smallest volunteer-run museums to national museums – and more than 1,700 museums are currently taking part in the scheme across the UK.

More information about the Accreditation scheme can be found here.

Spitfire at RAF Museum Midlands

Adam Shepherd, Head of Collections Services at RAF Museum said:

‘Receiving Accredited Museum status is a considerable achievement for the RAF Museum. It demonstrates that the Museum is fit for the future and taking all the right steps on its journey to raise its professional standards, develop its engagement with people and manage its nationally important collection.’

Liz Johnson, Director Museums and Cultural Property at Arts Council England said:

‘We’re delighted that the RAF Museum has been successful in gaining their Accreditation status. This means that their Collections will be looked after and maintained offering inspiration, enjoyment and learning for the local community and visitors to enjoy now and in the future.’

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