Minister invites view on Museums Policy for Northern Ireland

Culture Minister Nelson McCausland today encouraged the public to comment on a museums policy for Northern Ireland as he launched an eight week consultation.

The consultation meets a commitment made by the Minister to the Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee’s Inquiry into the need to have a museums policy for Northern Ireland.

Highlighting the importance of this consultation the Minister said: “Museums play an important role within our society, at both National and local level, in telling the stories of our history and that of others as part of our shared history and future. Museums also play a significant part in enriching the cultural life of our citizens and in educating our children.

“I therefore want to encourage as many groups and individuals as possible to contribute to this important process that will put in place, for the first time, a museums policy for Northern Ireland. It is therefore of major importance that we get as many views and opinions as possible to inform the policy and to shape the framework that museums can work within.”

The closing date for returns for this consultation is 5.00pm on Friday 24 August 2010. The policy document, together with a list of common questions, can be downloaded from the DCAL web site www.dcalni.gov.uk . If, however, you would like to obtain a hard copy of this document and the list of common questions, please contact Michelle McRoberts, by any of the following methods.

email:michelle.mcroberts@dcalni.gov.uk

telephone: (028) 9051 5006;

fax: (028) 90823376

post:

Notes to editors:

1. Media enquiries should be addressed to the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure Press Office Tel (028) 9051 5047 or email: DCAL Press Office . Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.