PRAISE was given to a Hyndburn gallery dubbed the jewel in the crown of the borough’s art scene.

Leader of Hyndburn Council, Cllr Miles Parkinson, lavished praise on Haworth Art Gallery as members prepare to renew its Arts Council England accreditation for the next five years.

Accreditation is required by all museums and art galleries to be eligible for funding by Arts Council England or National Lottery Heritage Fund and is renewed every five years. Having accreditation has allowed Haworth Art Gallery to access funding for the Stables and Motor House Artists’ Studios. As a result the project has been used as a model for best practice with the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Cllr Parkinson said: “It’s wonderful that the art gallery has been developed over the years. Staff members are key to that and now we continue to seek funding from outside sources to enhance it further.

“The Haworth is our jewel and it’s amazing how successful it has become.”

Gallery deputy manager and curator, Gillian Berry, said: “The Museum Accreditation Scheme is the UK industry standard for museums and galleries and sets out nationally-agreed standards which promote and inspire confidence with the public and funding bodies.

“Accreditation does this by making sure museums manage their collections properly, engage with visitors and ensure that they are governed appropriately. The Haworth needs to renew its Arts Council England Museum Accreditation and a draft submission has been prepared the aim is to submit Haworth Art Gallery’s Accreditation return to the Arts Council England portal by February 29.

“An approved business plan is required which covers the current and subsequent planning year will be written in accordance to the Arts Council of England guidelines for Museum and Art Gallery Accreditation.

“The section is required to include appropriate governance and management standards including a clear statement of purpose, an appropriate constitution and a satisfactory structure for governance and management.

“It is also required to cover a set period and include the key aims Haworth Art Gallery wants to achieve and an explanation of how we will achieve these aims in terms of staff and volunteers, equipment and budgets.

“Budgets for the current year and subsequent planning year are required.”

The Haworth Art Gallery does not have to apply for accreditation but failing to do so would make the gallery unable to apply for external funding from Arts Council England, National Lottery Heritage Fund and various other funding bodies.