Museum Campaign

The Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights (CRER) has a long-standing campaign to establish a national museum, archive and learning centre dedicated to illuminating Scotland’s role in empire, slavery, colonialism and migration. Alongside fellow organisations and activists, we have successfully campaigned for funding to work towards a space to bring these histories to life.

Empire, Slavery and Scotland’s Museums Steering Group

As a result of successful grassroots campaigning for Scotland to attest to its involvement in empire, processes of colonialism, and historic slavery, the Scottish Parliament passed a motion to establish the Empire, Slavery and Scotland’s Museums Steering Group (ESSM). ESSM then undertook independent research and nation-wide consultations which highlighted mistrust of the museum sector, which either mis-represented or did not represent at all the histories of formerly colonised peoples. Further, the sector felt inaccessible and exclusive to a large portion of Scottish communities. These concerns informed the six recommendations that ESSM submitted to the Scottish government to address and correct how imperial structures and practices continue to be perpetuated in the museum sector. Read more about the recommendations here.

Recommendation one, to create a dedicated space to explore Scotland’s colonial history, builds upon the work begun by CRER with a virtual project: empiremuseum.scot.

Trustee Recruitment

After decades of campaigning, work is now underway to establish the Scottish Museum of Empire, Slavery, Colonialism and Migration (SMESCM). This will be a space dedicated to exploring, sharing, and attesting to the myriad of ways in which Scotland participated in, and benefitted from, networks of empire, slavery, colonialism, and migration.

Two staff members have been appointed to begin work on creating a new physical space. The Co-Lead Coordinators will work closely with communities, academics, educators, and grassroots organisations to develop the Scottish Museum of Empire, Slavery, Colonialism and Migration’s vision, strategy, and outputs.

To support and progress this work, SMESCM is looking to recruit up to 12 Trustees to lead and provide guidance to staff in executing its vision:
“A Scotland committed to anti-racism that explores and addresses the legacies of empire, slavery, colonialism and migration. Through connecting people to our shared histories, we have a platform from which to imagine, name and resource a more equitable and collectively owned future.” 

Further information on the role and how to apply can be found by clicking the button below. If you have any questions or would like to chat, please send an email to information@empiremuseum.scot.