Statement of Public Task

This statement sets out the functions carried out by the National Army Museum (NAM) that are within our public task under the Re-use of Public Sector Information Regulations 2015 (the ‘2015 Regulations’). The statement is supported by the National Army Museum’s Intellectual Property Policy.

The National Army Museum operates under the terms of a Royal Charter (1960, with revisions between 1964 and 2009), with overall direction and operation of the Museum (and ownership of the Collections) vested in the Council of the National Army Museum, whose members are approved by the Army Board.

Additionally, NAM is:

• a designated institution under the National Heritage Act (1983)
• an Executive Non-Departmental Public Body sponsored by the Ministry of Defence
• has full registration with Arts Council England (Museum No 1815)
• a registered charity (Registered Charity No 237902) regulated by the Charities Act (1993), the Charity Commission, the Charities Regulations, the Statement of Recommended Practice, and the Trustees Act
• has funding authorised by Statutory Instrument (1983, No 1780) and the Grant-in-Aid is issued annually by the MOD and administered by the Director General of NAM

NAM’s Public Task is defined as the creation, preservation and dissemination of information for the following purposes:

• Collect
  To collect objects, records and testimonies relating to the history and traditions of the British Army and Commonwealth Forces.
• Preserve
  To care for the items entrusted with the Museum to ensure they are preserved for future generations.
• Educate
  To interpret, exhibit and disseminate information in order to make known the story of the British Army and Commonwealth Forces to the widest range of public need and in a way that connects the British public with its Army and wider themes.
• Research
  To encourage, carry out and publish research into the history and traditions of the British Army and Commonwealth Forces, and all matters connected therewith.

The National Army Museum holds and uses documents for the following purposes within its public task:

• The promotion and provision of access to the Museum’s collection and exhibitions: in the Museum; on loan, in partnership with other museums, art galleries, research, educational or cultural establishments or communities, nationally and internationally; and in all and any media formats.
• The production of exhibition and collection-based, educational, scholarly, conservation, research and other documents related to the collection: whether directly; through partnerships with museums, art galleries, research, educational or cultural establishments or communities, nationally and internationally; or through Museum-associated companies or third parties.
• The distribution of those documents: whether in printed, filmed, digital or any other format or media; and whether directly or through partnerships with museums, art galleries, research, educational or cultural establishments nationally or internationally; or through Museum-associated companies; or through third parties commercially or non-commercially.
• The maintenance, development, safety and security of its buildings, galleries, infrastructure and grounds.

Information about the Museum’s general activities in carrying out its public task will be found in the About the museum section of nam.ac.uk

This statement is regularly reviewed and is due to be considered again in October 2022, or at an earlier date if necessary.

If you have any queries on this public task statement you can submit them using the contact us form. If you have a complaint about the National Army Museum under the 2015 Regulations, you can submit is as specified in the Museum’s Complaints Policy.

Date statement updated: October 2017