09 June 2006
The quango running Northern Ireland's national museums and galleries has been criticised by the Northern Ireland Audit Office for the poor quality of its stored items.
These include a schooner, The Result, bought 36 years ago, that remains hidden under an awning, despite having cost over £600,000 at current prices.
Magni — Museums And Galleries Northern Ireland — has responsibility for 1.5 million artefacts, of which about 10% are on display. Some 60% of the storage space for undisplayed items is either poor or unsatisfactory, says the NIAO.
Magni was unable to tell the auditors what percentage of artefacts were held in appropriate conditions.
Northern Ireland auditor general John Dowdall warned that there was a risk to the national collection if new storage space was not provided.
Auditors also found that Magni was unable to provide details of how many artefacts were documented to recognised national and international standards. In one of the main museums, the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, more than 90% of the collection's records are not computerised.
The NIAO recommends the use of performance indicators for monitoring Magni's management and protection of its national collection. During the auditor's review, Magni appointed a director of collections and interpretation to improve the management and control of the collections.
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