Flanders and the Netherlands Adopt SPECTRUM Standard
20th Mar, 2008
Leading cultural organisations from the UK, Netherlands and Flanders came together at events in Brussels and Rotterdam on the 13th and 14th March to launch the Dutch and Flemish versions of SPECTRUM, the international standard for the management of cultural collections.
First launched in 1994 by UK standards body MDA, SPECTRUM is an open standard which helps museums improve their services to the public, ensuring that collections are accessible, accountable and professionally cared-for.
Speaking at the launch in Rotterdam, former head of the Erfgoedsinspectie Nederland (Dutch Cultural Inspectorate) Charlotte van Rappard-Boon said, “Museums in Flanders and the Netherlands hold some of the world's pre-eminent cultural collections. The adoption of SPECTRUM in these countries is a great step forward, enabling us to deliver on our commitment to improving our services to users.”
Speaking at the launch event in Brussels, MDA Chief Executive Nick Poole said, “Already in use by many thousands of museums worldwide, this launch marks a milestone in the development of SPECTRUM as a truly international standard. Museums in the UK, Flanders and the Netherlands share a common commitment to delivering exciting, innovative and sustainable museum services. Adopting a common standard creates a lasting connection between our professional communities and enables us to share best practice internationally”.
The launch of SPECTRUM in the Netherlands and Flanders marks the culmination of two years of collaboration, coordinated by MDA in the UK, the Landes Consulenten Muselijk (LCM) in the Netherlands and new cultural organisation FARO in Flanders. Over the next 4 years, MDA will be coordinating an active programme of international collaboration focussed around the development of SPECTRUM.
Notes for Editors
MDA is the UK's focus for standards, expertise and advice in the professional management of collections. www.mda.org.uk
For further information about the work of MDA, or to interview Nick Poole, MDA Chief Executive, contact Eleanor Lovegrove at eleanor@mda.org.uk or telephone 01223 310377.
MDA is supported by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA), Scottish Museums Council (SMC) and CyMAL through the Federation of Museums and Art Galleries of Wales.
