Arts Council England (ACE) has confirmed that it has agreed to take over a number of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council's (MLA) main functions.

The Renaissance in the Regions programme; the improvement and development of regional museums; and cultural property functions will be incorporated into ACE's remit.

However, ACE will not be taking on the MLA's strategic archives role but will receive £46m additional funding from the government to help deliver its new responsibilities.

ACE, MLA and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) are now discussing the criteria of the new Renaissance Programme and how the transition can be managed.

It is expected that the transition will see functions move to ACE by the end of 2011, with the closure of the MLA scheduled to take place by March 2012.

ACE chair Dame Liz Forgan said: "This is a unique opportunity to join together the historic and the contemporary; to do away with the artificial divide caused by different funding streams and create a more coherent cultural offer."

MLA chair Sir Andrew Motion added: "The MLA will work very closely with the Arts Council to help ensure a smooth transition of these important functions."