Museums Galleries Scotland (MGS) has announced that it will consult on the development of a new national strategy for the sector, which is due to commence on 16 September.

A consultation document has been prepared by the organisation and will be launched at the Collaborating to Compete conference in Edinburgh. An online public consultation is also due to start on 16 September, which will remain open for eight weeks and aims to provide an overview of the strategy's development process.

Two 'major' consultation events are due to take place in October and November, with MGS planning to launch its final strategy for museums and galleries in January 2012. Museum Strategy Group chair Fiona Ballantyne said: "We are at a vital stage in the development of a national strategy for Scotland's museums and galleries.

"As we prepare to open consultations on the strategy we are fully aware that we need wide input from the sector to make sure we get this right."