Empire, Slavery and Scotland's Museums steering group recommendations: Scottish Government Response

Recommendation three

Museums should involve the people of Scotland in shaping their work through co-production, to promote cultural democracy and participation for all.

The Scottish Government accepts this recommendation.

The Scottish Government is greatly encouraged by this recommendation. It is accepted that, in the past, Government approaches to addressing racial inequality and other associated impacts of the legacy of colonialism have been short-term or project-based which have contributed towards tokenistic or superficial action which can be understood as a mechanism of systemic racism in operation. The Scottish Government is determined that this work will create real, sustainable improvement for our sector and for all the people of Scotland.

For this work to move forward with authenticity, and to place lived experience at the heart of what we do collaborative partnerships are vital. Open, trusting relationships are key to advancing understanding and acceptance of the inherent systemic racism that remains in our cultural spaces. Involving anti-racism and decolonisation experts, those with curatorial experience and those from local communities with lived experience of racism in our plans will help to deliver more accurate, relevant and meaningful cultural experiences for everybody.

As is reflected in both Scotland's Museums and Galleries Strategy and National Museums Scotland Strategy, it is important that our national museums, and our smaller organisations ensure there is increased partnership working, promoting better representation of marginalised communities and providing greater inclusivity for all.

The funding to support the "Delivering Change" project that is set out in the response to recommendation two will also support delivery of this recommendation.