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In 2006 the Trustees agreed a Forward Plan reaching forward to 2013 and it is always a pleasure to see that we are, year by year, working our way through the tasks we set ourselves. This last year has been particularly busy, and I would like to thank and congratulate all the staff at York Museums Trust for achieving so much.

I would also like to stress the importance of the support of Trustees. Their contribution to the successful working of the Trust cannot be overestimated. The range of skills and experience within the Board are invaluable. This year we have formed the York Museums Trust Enterprises Board which has met regularly to advise and plan the business activities of the Trust. Their remit is to improve the income generation of the retail, catering, venue hire and admissions income across all sites. Their expertise is already having an impact on our future plans and level of ambitions.

Trustees serve for a maximum of six years, and this year we are losing Professor Dianne Willcocks, Terry Suthers and Dr Peter Addyman. I am delighted that others have been able to join us as trustees and their contribution will be hugely welcome, but it is difficult to imagine the Trust without those who are standing down. Their contribution, and their connections with institutions related to us, have been unique, invaluable and of a quality we can only hope to emulate. Our deep thanks and good wishes go to them all.

Our work would not be possible without the continuing support of the City of York Council which has agreed to continue to support the Trust with an inflation-proof grant until 2013. This allows us to plan in the longer term and to lever in match funding from other sources. The work of the Trust is wide-ranging and I would like to thank everyone who has helped us over the year.

Robin Guthrie

July 2008

York Museums Trust

York Museums Trust is an independent charitable trust established in August 2002 to manage York Castle Museum, Yorkshire Museum and Gardens, York Art Gallery and York St Mary's, all of which were formerly managed by the City of York Council. The Trust cares for the collections and manages the buildings that they occupy, working in partnership with the City of York Council to improve the museums and gallery for local residents and visitors to the city.

Vision

Our Vision is for York Museums Trust to play a major part in positioning York as a world class cultural centre.

Mission

To cherish the collections, buildings and gardens entrusted to us, presenting and interpreting them as a stimulus for learning, a provocation to curiosity and a source of inspiration and enjoyment for all.

Strategic Objectives

• To protect and conserve the collections, gardens and buildings.
• To promote access to the collections, gardens and buildings appropriate to the 21st Century.
• To create learning opportunities for all and develop innovative programmes springing from the collections, gardens and buildings.
• To network and collaborate with partners and contribute to the development of the economic and cultural life of the city and the region.
• To raise substantial funds to realise these aims.