ABSTRACT
In May 1942, encouraged by the positive approaches from government, the Museums Association (MA) had submitted a Reconstruction Memorandum that recommended government funding for provincial museums, based on the role of museums in education and their community activities, with museums included in scheme of national arts provision. The MA Report's favoured solution was to establish a centrally funded Museum and Art Gallery Grants Board to replace CEMA and coordinate its art activities. However, government plans to establish the Arts Council of Great Britain as CEMA's permanent replacement was already underway and, this was officially announced. The Ministry of Education's wartime support for the arts was brought to close, as its responsibilities for CEMA were transferred to the Treasury. Museum professionals were still in favour of a national museum service, but they argued instead for an independent board to administer museum grants. This was supported by those curators who were concerned to restore the traditional elements of curatorship after the war.
