Last week marked a pivotal moment for archives in the UK, with the launch of Government’s Vision for Archives in England at the M&S Archive in Leeds.
In 2024, the UK government asked The National Archives to develop a new strategic vision for archives that would build on the spirit of Archives Unlocked (2017) . BOP partnered with the National Archives to support its development, working with the steering group and senior leadership to set a clear, shared direction for the future.
Through eight regional roundtables, an open consultation and conversations with archive professionals, researchers and users of archives, together we helped develop a strategic vision to support the sector to better work together, raise its profile, make collections accessible, reflect the communities it serves, and build the financial and environmental foundations for long-term survival.
Here is what we found:
- Despite the word ‘archive’ entering public discourse, public understanding of what archives do and why the matter remains limited. Only 3% of adults visited an archive in the last 12 months. Museums attracted 51%, Libraries 34%. There is real potential to grow archive audiences.
- Archives are viewing digital as an opportunity to define how they operate for the next generation. Over 60% of archives are already using digital engagement tools. AI could open up collections at a scale never before possible.
- The sector has proved it can engage communities, but requires consistent data to demonstrate that impact at scale. 1,700 people turned out to mark the Essex floods. Children documented their pandemic experience through Minecraft. The sector has proven it can connect, it just needs the data and evidence to maximise this impact.
“In response to these findings the vision answers the question: how do you make something vital visible?”
It was a pleasure to hear Baroness Twycross, Minister for Museums, Heritage and Gambling, and Saul Nassé, Chief Executive of The National Archives, set out the sector’s ambition and the integral role of archives at the heart of society. This new vision is an opportunity for archives to become more visible, more inclusive and more central to public life. We are proud to have played a part in shaping it.
Learn more about our work with The National Archives here.
