The Association of Independent Museums (AIM) is seeking your (Industrial Heritage) organisation’s views on the role and impact of small and medium museums across the UK, with a particular focus on their contribution to local placemaking and community life as part of a research project in partnership with Arts Council England; Culture Division, Welsh Government; and Museums Galleries Scotland.

Insights from small museums such as industrial sites will help them understand the importance of museums to their localities, and to strongly advocate for this vital – often unseen – work. AIM welcomes responses from both accredited and non-accredited museums, who receive up to 50,000 visitors a year, which includes many if not most industrial heritage sites.

AIM are looking for responses from someone with the authority to speak on behalf of your organisation. If you represent a group of museums, please respond on behalf of a single museum site. Please do forward this message to the relevant person if you do not feel appropriately placed to respond to the survey. Deadline for responses is Monday 29 June 2026.

Further details on how to take part in the survey can be found here: Exploring the role and impact of small museums in places – AIM – Association of Independent Museums