Authors: Alchemy Research and Consultancy
As we navigate an increasingly volatile and uncertain world, the traditional operating models that have long sustained our sector are becoming increasingly difficult to maintain. Fragile to Flourishing: Museum operating models in an uncertain world is a suite of resources commissioned by AIM and jointly supported by Arts Council England and DCMS to help our members transition to a position of proactive, future readiness.
This work represents a vital opportunity to rethink the fundamental approach of our institutions. By adopting a growth mindset and systemic thinking, museums can move from reactive firefighting toward game-changing influence.
Four resources for transformation
To support this work, we have provided four interconnected resources designed to be read independently or as a set:
- The full research report: the foundation to the resources analysing 30 museums to identify the characteristics of flourishing institutions.
- Detailed case studies: real-world inspiration from eight diverse museums, such as The Bowes Museum and Mary Rose, sharing their ongoing stories of transformation.
- The flourishing toolkit: a practical guide featuring a range of tools to help you and your teams reflect, build a baseline and test new ideas and approaches.
- The flourishing continuum: a diagnostic framework allowing you to assess your museum’s current status—from ‘fragile’ to ‘flourishing’—across eight key areas.
These resources are intended to empower you and your teams to embrace managed risk and build sustainable, entrepreneurial models that ensure our museums remain vibrant and relevant for the future.
Summary of the museum operating models research (opens in a new tab) Full research report (opens in a new tab) Fragile to flourishing case studies (opens in a new tab) Fragile to flourishing toolkit (opens in a new tab)Webinar recording
In this webinar recording, the researchers take us through the key findings of the research to identify the characteristics of flourishing institutions and the diagnostic framework allowing museums to assess your current status—from ‘fragile’ to ‘flourishing’. You’ll also hear how you can apply the accompanying toolkit to your own museum to reflect, test new ideas and discuss future approaches.
About the authors
The research, case studies and toolkit were compiled by Alchemy Research and Consultancy; Anna Dinnen, Dawn Langley, Andrea Nixon, Susan Royce and Keith Arrowsmith (ProArts+).
Click here for the Alchemy Research and Consultancy website (opens in a new tab)