Culture minister Ed Vaizey has announced that the existing Renaissance hub network will be scrapped in order to move the scheme to a new system of core museums.

In his keynote speech to the Museums Association Conference, Vaizey revealed that national funding will be made available to "non-national museums with outstanding collections".

The minister also said that some Renaissance funding would be used for the establishment of a new challenge fund, available to all regional museums to encourage innovation.

Vaizey said: "Although detailed plans will need to wait until we know the outcome of the Spending Review, I can tell you now that we will move away from the existing hub network. Instead we will create a group of core museums.

"I am confident that it can continue to be a strong and positive programme for regional museums in the years ahead. But Renaissance resources are going to be even tighter in the future and they will only be applied to efficient, imaginative and innovative museums."

In addition to setting out his new proposals for the Renaissance programme, Vaizey praised the work of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA), which is set to be abolished.

"We have aimed not only to reduce the number of bodies and their overall cost, but also to increase transparency, accountability and value for money. It is within this context that we have made the difficult decision to abolish the MLA," he added.

MLA chief executive Roy Clare said: "The recognition that the museum sector, in a difficult place like everywhere, will be supported provided we support ourselves is heartening.

"Our work on Leading Museums, plans for New Renaissance and encouragement for best practice and innovation, are right on track, and [the minister's] endorsement will enable us to press ahead."

Image: Department for Culture, Media and Sport