Introduction

UMIS has been in existence since the 1980s and brings together all the Accredited university museum services in Scotland. Our nine members hold over two million objects, and collections in five organisations are Recognised of
National Significance to Scotland under the Scottish Government’s Recognition Scheme.

University museums support learning, teaching, and research in Scottish universities, while also being a source of wonder and inspiration for our wider communities. UMIS members strive to make their collections to be accessible to all – ensuring programming is designed for (and with) our audiences. We welcome not only students and staff within our universities, but also researchers, the broader community (including those traditionally under-represented in museums) and schools.

Our vision is:

That Scotland’s university museums will be recognised as a significant intrinsic component of higher education in Scotland and make meaningful contributions to Scottish life and culture. The value of our collections and knowledge we hold will be recognised as fundamental to learning, teaching and research worldwide. Our collections will be accessible to everyone – both physically and digitally – and act as inspiration and catalysts for research, discussion and debate. Our museum spaces and programming will be inclusive and open, encouraging and representing the full diversity of visitors and audiences. We will be trusted, supportive, progressive, challenging, dynamic and sustainable organisations, helping to break down barriers, educate and lead contemporary thought and practice.

The UMIS partners are supported through the Museums, Galleries and Collections grant from the Scottish Funding
Council which helps the museums and collections (within universities) develop their contribution to teaching, research, outreach and museum practice.

You can read our full strategic plan and our constitution on our publications page.