Gallery selected to join Heritage Council of Ireland Museum Standards Programme
The Model is delighted to announce its selection to join the Museum Standards Programme for Ireland (MSPI). This prestigious programme was established by The Heritage Council to benchmark and promote professional standards in the care of collections within the Irish museum sector. Selection under the MSPI is seen as a major accolade in the sector.
The programme is the gold standard for Irish museums and a huge commitment on behalf of the participants. Successful applicants must meet 37 standards before they can be awarded full accreditation. This can take anywhere between three and five years to complete. Factors taken into account include how museums care for their collections and visitors, as well as governance and management standards, and their education and exhibition programmes..
Speaking about the announcement, Director of The Model, Emer McGarry said “when Nora Niland established the collection in 1959, her vision was to found a world standard art collection for County Sligo anchored by the works of Jack Butler Yeats. Working with the Heritage Council, we will bring all our activities in line with international museum standards to create a suitable home for this unique and wonderful body of work.”
The Niland Collection, which belongs to the people of Sligo, is one of the most notable regional art collections in Ireland. It features one of the largest public holdings of work by Jack Butler Yeats in existence. It a strong focus on the works of 20th century Irish artists. The collection includes a broad range of both traditional and contemporary works by artists including Norah McGuinness, Dorothy Cross, Alice Maher, Clodagh Emoe, Eamon O’Kane, Sean McSweeney, Estella Solomons, Paul Henry and Sean Keating amongst many others. The collection can be enjoyed as part of The Model’s exhibition programme and through recently published 2nd edition Niland Collection hard back book.
Visitor numbers have been on an upward trend and The Model looks forward to announcing an exciting programme for Spring/Summer 2022.