Alistair Brown
alistairbrown.bsky.social
Alistair Brown
@alistairbrown.bsky.social
Head of Museums, Libraries and Archives Policy at the National Lottery Heritage Fund
We're hiring! Come and work with me at the National Lottery Heritage Fund on all things heritage policy. This is a great opportunity to have a real impact in the heritage sector by supporting our grant-making and contributing to our policy direction.

heritagefund.ciphr-irecruit.com/Applicants/v...
Policy Project Manager | The National Heritage Memorial Fund iRecruit PortalName
As the largest funder for the UK’s heritage, our vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future.
heritagefund.ciphr-irecruit.com
November 13, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Reposted by Alistair Brown
For our Museum Futures programme, we've partnered with SCVO to offer 20 funded spaces on a 12-month HR Support Programme designed for museums and galleries in Scotland without a dedicated HR rep who want expert guidance to strengthen their HR practices. Find out more and apply here: buff.ly/H9tr6B7
September 11, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Great to see John Swinney giving a speech in support of Scotland's museums, and highlighting the new Museum Futures programme delivered by @museumsgalleriesscotland.org.uk with support from National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Yesterday First Minister John Swinney delivered a speech on culture which recognised that museums play an important role in enriching the lives of Scotland’s people.

He also expressed his support for our Museum Futures programme. To find out more about the programme, visit: buff.ly/3lf1rbi
August 1, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Reposted by Alistair Brown
🎉 The wait is over! Meet the Family Friendly Museum Award 2025 shortlist🏆

From free, hands on activities to co-designed inclusive resources, these museums are going above and beyond to ensure a great experience for their family visitors.

Explore the shortlist: kidsinmuseums.org.uk/2025/06/disc...
Discover the UK’s best museums for families this summer - Kids in Museums
18 museums are in the running to be named the UK’s Best Family Friendly Museum.
kidsinmuseums.org.uk
June 23, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Really delighted to be @museumsandheritage.com Awards last night - particularly to see the winners of our Heritage Fund-sponsored Sustainable Project of the Year Award - Railworld Wildlife Haven in Peterborough, and Stourbridge Glass Museum. Well done! www.heritagefund.org.uk/news/winners...
Winners announced for Sustainable Project of the Year 2025
Railworld Wildlife Haven and Stourbridge Glass Museum have been crowned the winners of the sustainability award.
www.heritagefund.org.uk
May 16, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Really looking forward to speaking about the National Lottery Heritage Fund's role in supporting organisational sustainability in the heritage sector at @museumsandheritage.com Show today. If you're at the Show, come and find us at Theatre 1 at 12.45.

show.museumsandheritage.com/2025-program...
2025 Programme – Museums + Heritage Show
show.museumsandheritage.com
May 15, 2025 at 8:08 AM
Reposted by Alistair Brown
Breaking News: The Mellon Foundation announced $15 million to support state humanities councils after federal aid cancellations left some in danger of collapse. The endowment provides crucial support to museums, historical sites, cultural festivals and community projects.
Mellon Foundation Announces $15 Million for Humanities Councils
The emergency funding came after the National Endowment for the Humanities canceled most existing grants, part of a pivot toward President Trump’s priorities.
www.nytimes.com
April 29, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Great to see a brilliant shortlist for the @artfund.bsky.social Museum of the Year Award 2025 - can't wait to see who wins...
April 29, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Reposted by Alistair Brown
Hello! We're The London Archives, a free public archive focusing on the history of London from 1067. We look after over 100km of manuscripts, books, drawings, engravings, photos and films spanning 1000 years of London's history!
Give us a follow.

#archives #history #LondonHistory
April 16, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Thought this was an outstanding podcast by @danneidle.bsky.social from the BBC. Wonkish but clear, entertaining and much needed - well worth checking out: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand...
April 9, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Reposted by Alistair Brown
Vultures circle over Council art collections as austerity bites:
Sotheby’s offers to value cash-strapped councils’ art collections
Critics warn auction house is pressuring struggling authorities into selling public assets
www.ft.com
April 5, 2025 at 8:19 AM
Reposted by Alistair Brown
Do you use Historic Environment Scotland's data? If so you need to know that Canmore is being retired this June.

Trove (www.trove.scot) is replacing it and is now online in beta.

Please try it out and feedback your comments here: haveyoursay.historicenvironment.scot/heritage/470...
March 27, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Extraordinary political interference happening in museums across the pond.
President Trump orders VP Vance "to eliminate improper, divisive, or anti-American ideology from the Smithsonian and its museums, education and research centers, and the National Zoo."
Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Restores Truth and Sanity to American History
RESTORING TRUTH IN AMERICAN HISTORY: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order restoring truth and sanity to American history by
www.whitehouse.gov
March 28, 2025 at 8:27 AM
We have a fantastic shortlist of projects for the Sustainable Project of the Year Award at @museumsandheritage.com Awards 2025. Take a look here and be inspired!
www.heritagefund.org.uk/news/six-pro...
Six projects shortlisted for Sustainable Project of the Year 2025
From upcycled exhibitions to changing travel behaviour to historic sites, these six projects demonstrate outstanding environmentally-driven initiatives from the past year.
www.heritagefund.org.uk
March 14, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Reposted by Alistair Brown
News | Science Museum appoints first ever head of space – leading spaceflight expert to support curators and public engagement
Science Museum appoints first ever head of space - Museums Association
Leading spaceflight expert to support curators and public engagement
www.museumsassociation.org
March 11, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Reposted by Alistair Brown
This is excellent news for Berwick!
February 28, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Delighted that the National Archives has announced the first successful projects under the new Archives Revealed programme. Fantastic cataloguing and consortium projects that will enable access to previously hidden history - all supported by Heritage Fund. www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/about/news/a...
Archives Revealed awards new cataloguing grants and first-ever consortium grant - The National Archives
Archives Revealed has awarded 12 cataloguing grants and its first ever consortium grant to archives across the UK. Archives Revealed is a partnership programme between The National Archives, the Pilgr...
www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
February 25, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Reposted by Alistair Brown
So glad today to see precious museums funding announced @dcmsgovuk.bsky.social @artscouncilengland.bsky.social - help for civics and more MEND to help across England as well as nationals getting uplifts. We will share more as we hear how members can benefit aim-museums.co.uk/news/arts-ev...
Arts Everywhere Fund announced - AIM - Association of Independent Museums
Over £270 million Arts Everywhere Fund for arts venues, museums, libraries and the heritage sector in major boost.
aim-museums.co.uk
February 20, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Great to see major new government investment in England's museums and heritage sectors today. A huge boost to many organisations facing significant challenges.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Major investment to boost growth and cement Britain’s place as cultural powerhouse
Over £270 million Arts Everywhere Fund for arts venues, museums, libraries and the heritage sector in major boost for growth
www.gov.uk
February 20, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Great discussion here about the future of museums with @benansell.bsky.social @tonybutler1.bsky.social @stephenkb.bsky.social Sara Wajid and Sharon Ament.

Culture, community and cash at the heart of the debate. Give it a listen.

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Rethink - Rethink... museums - BBC Sounds
What are museums for?
www.bbc.co.uk
February 7, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Great to be at the Natural History Museum today to celebrate the amazing impact of the Explore Urban Nature project which has seen 13 museums across the UK work with schools to help pupils understand and care for urban nature: www.nhm.ac.uk/schools/expl...
February 6, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Delighted to be sponsoring the Sustainable Project of the Year Award at @museumsandheritage.com 2025. Enter by 31st Jan if you're a museum or heritage site aiming to become more environmentally sustainable. And the award is FREE to enter too!
Wondering why you should enter the #MandHAwards? Look at this incredible feedback from our 2024 Museums + Heritage Award winners. 🏆

Enter by 31 Jan: mandhawards.awardsplatform.com

@tankmuseum.bsky.social
@hornimanmuseum.bsky.social
@migrationmuseumuk.bsky.social
@leedsmuseums.bsky.social
January 14, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Reposted by Alistair Brown
It’s a good day for heritage in the UK. Not only is it #HeritageTreasures day, mainly on that other site, but there are some great investment stories to share. So check them out below
January 14, 2025 at 9:46 AM