CMS updates: continuation of visual refresh rollout – 2026

CMS updates: continuation of visual refresh rollout – 2026

In 2025, the VC CMS received its first major visual and interface refresh since its relaunch in 2020. Rollout of this visual refresh continues in 2026 via a CMS update released in August 2026. 

What can I expect? 
Key changes include: 
  1. New media thumbnail size options for catalogue view and item record view
  2. Standardisation of button locations and field input functionality 
  3. Layout and workflow improvements to the Provenance section  
  4. Layout improvements to Member permissions 
Read on for full details of the changes, including side-by side screenshots and screencasts of updated workflows.  

New media thumbnail size options for catalogue view and item record view

Users are now able to select between large and small thumbnails of an item record’s media file in both the catalogue view, and the individual item view. In catalogue view, click the ellipsis icon to switch between showing large media thumbnails, showing small media thumbnails, and hiding media thumbnails:




In item record view, switch between either hiding, or showing small or large media thumbnails in the summary at the top of the record using VC CMS’ interface settings, which can be accessed via the cog icon at the top right of the screen:


 

Standardisation of button locations and field input
The location of ‘Add entry’ buttons has been be standardised, with these buttons now aligned to the right of the screen. You will notice this change in the following record sections: 
  1. Description – Add dimension entry 
  2. Relationships – Attach a parent record, New related record attachment 
  3. References – New reference item 
  4. Loans – Add loan entry 
  5. Exhibitions – New exhibition record 
  6. Condition – New condition report 
  7. Risk – New risk report 
  8. Conservation – New treatment report 
  9. Valuation – New valuation report 
  10. Research – New research entry 
  11. Notes – New note 

The new button location can be seen via the Condition section below:



Additionally, the field layout for new entries in these sections will be standardised to allow for more screen space when editing and viewing:  



Layout and workflow improvements to Provenance section
The overall layout of the Provenance section is now more streamlined, with buttons aligned to the right of the screen. Buttons with an updated location include New party attachment, New place entry, and New provenance event entry: 


Minor changes have been made to how a party role is selected in the workflow for attaching a Party associated with creation, or attaching a Party to a Provenance event. When clicking New party attachment to attach an existing party or create a new party, the final step of selecting this party’s role is done here, before confirming and returning to the item record view. The updated workflow can be viewed via the screencast below: 




Party and Place fields within Provenance events 
Clicking on a Provenance event now opens the event in a pop-in window. From this view, you can click any Parties or Places associated with this Provenance event to navigate to their respective fields.  This functionality applies in both ‘View’ and ‘Update’ mode, and can be viewed via the screencast below:



Layout improvements to Member permissions 
The layout of toggles to switch member permissions on and off have been updated. Permissions relating to cataloguing are laid out at the top of the dialogue box, with permissions relating to organisational and administrative functions laid out at the bottom of the dialogue box: 



Minor visual and functionality changes 
Further minor changes have also been incorpoated in this update, including:
  1. Changes to the colour of the CMS interface 
  2. The ability for cataloguers who are members of multiple organisations to switch between them via the organisation name in the top menu bar 
  3. A ‘Clear query’ button which will return users from query results to the full catalogue view