The MLA was originally established as the
Standing Commission on Museums and Galleries in 1931. It was set up following the recommendations of the Final Report of the
Royal Commission on National Museums and Galleries, produced in 1929 and 1930. The Standing Commission was renamed the
Museums and Galleries Commission (MGC) in September 1981 and given additional responsibilities. The MGC was a
registered charity and incorporated under a
Royal Charter on 1 January 1987. In April 2000, the MGC and the
Library and Information Commission were combined into
Re:source which was later renamed the MLA Council. The MLA was represented in London by MLA London, a separate charity that received core funding from the MLA. In 2003 the MLA was a stakeholder in the
Framework for the Future report that set out a vision for the future of public libraries in England. In 2008, working with The National Archives, the MLA developed a consultation document on "21st Century Archives". In 2009 the MLA published "Leading Museums" a vision and action plan for museums. The MLA took over the running of the
Designation Scheme, which began in 1997 under the auspices of the Museums and Galleries Commission (MGC). It was expanded in 2005 to include archives and libraries as well as museums that had pre-eminent collections of national or international importance held outside of national institutions. 135 collections had been awarded Designated status by 2011. After the abolition of the MLA the Designation Scheme was taken over by Arts Council England (ACE). == References ==