LONDON, UK.- Objects of Desire: The Art of Collecting is the theme for Museums and Galleries Month 2005. Over 1,200 museums and galleries across the UK will be holding special events and exhibitions to celebrate existing collections, nominate favourite objects and inspire a new generation to think about the sort of things they would include in museum and gallery collections of the future.

The national launch of Museums and Galleries Month 2005 will take place at the Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace. The Queen’s Gallery is home to one of the finest art collections in the world with changing exhibitions from the wide-ranging collection of art and treasures held in trust by The Queen for the Nation.

Loyd Grossman, Chairman of the Campaign for Museums and Co-Chairman of MGM2005 said: “We are delighted that Museums and Galleries Month will be launched in such splendid surroundings. The Royal Collection epitomises the theme of Museums and Galleries Month this year and the emphasis that we and the museum community are placing on the importance of collections, their conservation and display; collecting is also a vital activity for the future.”

This year Virginia Tandy, Director of Manchester City Galleries, joins Loyd Grossman, as Co-Chairman of MGM2005. She said: “Museums and Galleries Month is for large and small museums and galleries around the UK. This is a unique celebration of how much there is to enjoy in the variety and richness of collections, special events, exhibitions and activities.”

“Collections are at the heart of museums and galleries: both those objects left to us by past generations and building collections in the present for future generations. How we represent today’s culture in our collections continually informs the choices museums and galleries make.”

“The theme aims to stimulate debate and interest in the stories behind individual objects, the wealth of public and private collections and the importance of collecting for the future. The results of the Museums Association consultation on collections which will be published in May will also provide the focus for a series of events and contribute to the ongoing debates with the Art Fund, mda, the Contemporary Art Society and others.”

This year the French Government is leading a Europe-wide celebration Museums at Night taking place on Saturday 14 May. Museums and galleries across Europe are invited to host special late night openings from sunset until 1.00am. MGM 2005 is inviting museums and galleries in the UK to join in the celebrations by holding their own nocturnal events on the same day.