The Burrell Collection wins £120,000 Art Fund Museum of the Year 2023 prize
The Glasgow-based Burrell Collection was selected from a shortlist of five museums including – The MAC, Belfast, Leighton House, London, the Natural History Museum, London and the Scapa Flow Museum, Orkney, to win the 2023 Museum of the Year Prize. The shortlisted museums will also each benefit from a £15,000 prize.
Judges, including historian and broadcaster Mary Beard, National Museums Liverpool Director Laura Pye and Art Fund Director Jenny Waldman, praised the museum's approach to renovation and redisplay since reopening after major refurbishment in October 2022. Mary Beard said “The Burrell Collection is a treasure trove of objects to discover…They have realised, with real rigour and imagination, the true depth of what it means for a museum to be accessible. I would encourage everyone to go and experience it”. The Burrell Collection is managed by the charity Glasgow Life which runs 10 museums and galleries across the city. Art Fund, Guardian, BBC
Also: The Burrell Collection wins 5 awards at the Scottish Design Awards including the Grand Prix award for ‘Best of the Best’. Scottish Design Awards, McAslan
National Galleries Scotland announce opening date for September
On the 30th September, the National Galleries Scotland will open the doors on their new galleries after a project costing a total of £38.62m. The new spaces will showcase Scotland’s historic art in ten new rooms. The galleries will be home to over 130 works of art, Sir John Leighton, Director-General of the National Galleries of Scotland, said; “This project has been driven by an ambition to show the extraordinary collections of Scottish art with pride in beautiful, new, light-filled spaces. We believe that we have created a National Gallery that is more open, engaging and inviting than ever before… We are incredibly grateful to all our funders including the Scottish Government, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, key trusts and foundations, our Patrons, American Patrons and Friends as well as the many private individuals and donors who have been so generous in supporting this project." NGS (press release), Hearld, Times
Horniman Museum awarded major grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund
The Horniman Museum and Gardens have been awarded £5.7m for their Nature + Love project which will re-develop three areas of the museum including the historic Natural History Gallery, home to the well-loved Walrus. The project will also transform two areas in the Gardens with a new Nature Explorers Adventure Zone and Sustainable Gardening Zone. Nick Merriman, Chief Executive and Director of Content at the Horniman Museum and Gardens, says: “We want to thank the Heritage Fund for giving our Nature + Love project their approval. Without their support it would not be possible to bring our plans to reality. Now, thanks to the Heritage Fund, we can look forward to creating three new and exciting destinations for our visitors, and to fostering the next generation’s love and care for the natural world.” Horniman (press release), Museums Association. Also: Horniman Museum appoints new Musicians in Residence funded by Art Fund Museum of the Year 2022 prize. Horniman (press release)
RIBA North will house Tate Liverpool exhibitions from 27 October 2023 whilst the gallery undergoes refurbishment which is expected to take two years. RIBA North opened in 2017 but closed March 2020 during the pandemic and has not re-opened since. Tate and RIBA said it was part of a long term partnership. The first exhibition in the partnership will show works from the RIBA collection that reflect how designing, building, maintaining and knocking down buildings fit in with the global ambition to reach net zero carbon emission. Tate, Architects Journal
Glasgow Life receives £60,000 in latest Museum Development Fund awards
Glasgow Life have received £60,000 to undertake a decant project moving items from a store which is no longer fit for purpose to locations where they can be better cared for and enjoyed. Their aim is for these collections to engage with new and existing audiences through their relocation. Duncan Dornan, Head of Museums and Collections at Glasgow Life, said: “We are grateful to have received this significant Museum Development Fund award from Museum Galleries Scotland. This award will allow the transfer of objects currently held at an older store to GMRC and other locations, where they can be enjoyed by the public and better cared for in a more efficient, greener environment, ensuring they will be accessible for generations to come.” MGS
In July the British Library celebrated 50 years since beginning operations in 1973. Since the passing of the British Library Act in 1972, several organisations, including the British Museum Library, were brought together to create the British Library. Now holding over 170 million items, the living collections get bigger every day supported by the Legal Deposit Mandate. British LibraryAlso: The impact of the Business and IP Centre (BIPC) Network over a 3 year period has been reported in new findings. The first BIPC opened at the British Library in St Pancras, London in 2006 and the nationwide BIPC Network was established in 2012, with support from the Intellectual Property Office. ‘Democratising Entrepreneurship 2.0’ reported the BIPC Network helped to create 18,175 business and boosted local economies by £168 million. British Library (BIPC), British Library (report, pdf, 32pgs)
British Museum director announces intention to step down in 2024
Hartwig Fischer, Director of the British Museum since April 2016, has announced his resignation. When appointed, Fischer was tasked with developing a comprehensive Masterplan for the museum to renovate the historic building and re-display of the collections, this will be published in the autumn. The application process for a new director will also begin in the autumn. British Museum (press release), Guardian, Museums Association, Art Newspaper (£) Also: British Museum pay break-through pauses strikes. Civil Service World, M+H AdvisorAlso: Parthenon Sculptures: Pressure growing on British Museum, 21 July, BBC
Camilla Hampshire to stand down as Museum Manager of RAMM
After 22 years at the organisation, Camilla Hampshire is to stand down as Museum Manager of the Royal Albert Memorial Museum in December. Her role will be replaced by a distributed management structure, with three senior managers from the museum overseen by director-level support from Exeter City Council. This restructure of the Council's services comes as they prepare to make £6.6m in cuts over the next three years. Museums Association
National Gallery sets record for visitor numbers at Shanghai Museum in China
Attracting over 420,000 visitors for its 15-week run, ‘Botticelli to Van Gogh: Masterpieces from the National Gallery’ proved to be the National Gallery’s most popular charging exhibition ever welcoming more than 4,300 people a day. The paintings were sent to Asia in the run up to the closure of the Sainsbury Wing for a £35m refurbishment. The international tour moves on to the National Museum of Korea until 9 October followed by Hong Kong Palace Museum, the final destination from 15 November – 4 March. Art Newspaper (£)
Royal Museums Greenwich crowdfund to restore Gainsborough
A ‘masterpiece’ portrait by 18th century artist Thomas Gainsborough held in storage at Royal Museums Greenwich has be reattributed after being originally attributed to an unknown artist. The museum has launched a £60,000 crowdfunding campaign to restore the 1762 painting of Captain Frederick Cornewall with plans to display it at the Queen’s House once restoration is complete. RMG (press release), RMG (crowdfund) BBC
Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums wins ‘Uniquely North East Award’
The recognition from the North East Charity Awards recognises ‘home-grown’ charities that are focussed on supporting local communities and local heritage. Keith Merrin, Director of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums, said: "We are absolutely thrilled to have won this award. It recognises the importance of art, culture and heritage in the North East and our mission to ensure everyone has access to our museums and galleries. We see first-hand every day the difference it makes to our communities to engage with culture and heritage and it's wonderful to have this celebrated. We are incredibly grateful to all of our funders, sponsors, supporters and trustees who help us to keep showcasing our region's awesome culture and heritage and to support our local communities. TWAM
This month we are celebrating with the Black Country Living Museum as they open their new high street to the public. Featuring a music shop, butchers, hairdressers, building society, newsagents and ladieswear shop window it tells stories from the 1940s, 50s and 60s. BCLM
Rishi Sunak delays decision on EU Horizon science funding
After reports in early July that EU and UK negotiators had a draft deal on Britain’s re-entry into the Horizon Europe research programme which has a €95.5 billion budget for 2021-2027, the Financial Times reported that prime minister Sunak had pushed back a decision on re-joining till after the summer. Financial Times
Labour outlines educational reform pledges in key speech
Sir Keir Starmer, Labour leader, spoke of Labour’s mission to break down class barriers to promote equal access to opportunity and promised a goal of half a million more children reaching early learning targets by 2030, as well as a review of the curriculum from the beginning of primary school through to the end of compulsory education. He also spoke of encouraging children to study a creative arts subject until the age of 16 alongside a focus on digital skills. Labour (speech), BBC, Independent
10 years of Art Fund Museum of the Year report shares learning for the sector
BOP Consulting’s report on 10 years of Museum of the Year has some useful sector insights alongside sharing the impact the prize has on visitors and participating organisations. The research found that over the last decade, 64% of museums who participated in the prize attributed an increase of in-person visitors once shortlisted, with 60% of the new audience groups reached being new demographic groups (e.g., gender, age, ethnicity, income level) and 40% from wider geographic areas. Participants also reported a 64% rise in digital visits. It also suggested best practice involves proactive and intentional engagement of community groups in curation, to ensure exhibitions centre local voices and reflect the stories of the audiences they seek to engage. The unrestricted nature of the prize also meant finalists and winners could be more daring and engage in ambitious activity. The review also found there will also be a continued need for restricted funds in the future such as Museums and Galleries Exhibition Tax Relief (MGETR) that are a powerful form of support to supplement other funding sources and target specific needs. Art Fund (news article), Museums Association
Ahead of the next UK general election, the Heritage Alliance have published their 2023 manifesto setting out their vision for the sector under the next term of government. The five key priorities are:
Support community cohesion and put heritage at the heart of regeneration.
Embed the historic environment in nature recovery and net zero strategies.
Reform the tax regime to promote long-term sustainable growth.
Harness cultural learning and skills at every age and help our workforce thrive.
Futureproof heritage institutions at both a national and local level.
The Historic Environment Forum have produced this overview with support from Historic England and the National Trust. It has useful overviews of current government policy including levelling up and a handy summary of Historic England guidance released in 2022. There is also a number of inclusion and wellbeing projects mentioned including the VocalEyes work on accessible museum websites alongside the latest work going on across the wider sector on diversity and equality. Historic England (previous reports), Historic England (2022-23 report, pdf, 79pgs)
Marsh & Baxter Butchers - Black Country Living Museum
The Art Newspaper published a special report into the funding cuts facing museums, galleries and arts & humanities education with a focus on regional organisations. Art Newspaper (£)
National Lottery Heritage Fund publishes Heritage 2033 delivery plan
Following the launch of the new Heritage 2033 strategy in March, the NLHF have published their 2023-26 delivery plan outlining budgets, priorities and changes to funding programmes. There is a simplified application process depending on the amount of grant you are applying for, the lower level of grant will be raised to £10,000 from January 2024. It also has important dates and deadlines for applicants. NLHF (news story), NLHF (delivery plan)
Welsh Transformation Capital Grant Programme 2024/5 opens for expressions of interest
The Welsh Government, through its Culture Division, is inviting Expressions of Interest for its 2024/25 Transformation Capital Grant Programme for museums, archives and libraries. These grants will enable successful organisations to transform service delivery to offer sustainable, modern, attractive facilities and services in local museums, archives and libraries across Wales.
The grant scheme will operate as a two-stage process; the first stage of which is submission of an Expression of Interest (EOI). Successful applicants at this stage will be asked to develop and submit a full second stage application. Both stages will be competitive, and subject to confirmation of Welsh Government budgets. A successful EOI does not guarantee funding at stage 2. Deadline for EOI is 22 September. There are a number of webinars to support applications on 14 Aug 3-4pm, 30 Aug 10-11am and 7 Sept 3-4pm. Email [email protected] to attend. Wales.gov (guidance), Wales.gov (application form)
AHRC looks to boost capability and capacity for heritage research across the UK
Three funding opportunities have opened at AHRC, the Arts Humanities Research Council, to boost capability and capacity for heritage research focussing on facilities, collections and digital research services.
Host facilities as part of the heritage research infrastructure has a maximum award of £1m and closes on 17 October. It will enable you to purchase or build equipment and upgrade facilities that complement your existing research strengths, and ongoing funding to recruit and retain staff to enable access to your research facilities and collections. AHRC
Host collections as part of the heritage research infrastructure has an award range of £222,000 - £622,000 and closes on 17 October. This funding will enable access to collections of objects, samples, records and data for a wide range of users, to catalyse new collaborative research projects and amplify the impact of heritage science research. AHRC
Develop digital research services for the heritage research infrastructure has a maximum award of £14.4m with a closing date of 17 October. The funding is looking for applicants to design, build, test, launch and host a digital data service which will bring together data from heritage science and conservation research-practicing and collections-holding organisations across the UK. You will make the data freely available to researchers and other users. AHRC
Franco-British artistic co-creation to be celebrated in 2024 with new programme from the British Council
UK-France Spotlight on Culture "Together We Imagine", a collaborative programme of arts partnerships and projects will be launched in Spring 2024.The programme will take place from April to October 2024 as France prepares to host the Paris 2024 Olympic & Paralympic Games. The programme will be informed by the Games' values: excellence, respect, friendship, determination, equality, inspiration and courage. Together We Imagine (Imaginons Ensemble)will bean aspirational journey to explore how people unite to face local and global challenges, how we connect to share knowledge, how we reflect on a rich but complex heritage. A modest fund forcollaboration projects between Scotland or Northern Ireland and France,within the UK- France Spotlight has just been announced. This limitation to two of the four nations of the UK reflects the current under-representation of these nations at this stage of development of the programme. The open call for this has just gone live and closes on the 8th September. British Council France
Also: Find a Government Grant digital service - Find a Grant is a new, digital service that aims to make applying for government grants easier. So far, over 200 schemes - worth over £5.3bn - have been advertised, and soon, all eligible government grants will be advertised on the service. Find out more information via this video. Gov.uk (website)
9 Museums and Galleries across Scotland share £434k in Museum Development Fund Awards
Museums Galleries Scotland have announced the latest recipients of Museum Development Fund awards. From creating more accessible collections, working with schools, to co-producing museum programmes with communities, the awarded projects are centered around bringing people into the heart of museums. Funded organisations and projects include; ANGUSalive - £52,140, Dumfries and Galloway Aviation Museum – £42,500, Museums & Galleries Edinburgh – £49,548, Royal Scottish Academy - £50,000, Glasgow Life - £60,000, Hunterian - £50,000, Glencoe Folk Museum - £50,000, Scottish Maritime Museum - £50,000 and Culture Perth & Kinross - £30,000. MGS
Also: City of London Corporation commits £25m to Barbican Renewal Programme. M+H Advisor. Also: Dulwich Picture Gallery begins fundraising to support its biggest redevelopment in 20 years after receiving planning permission. ArtDaily
DEFRA references plans to protect heritage from Climate Change in the National Adaption Programme
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has published ‘The Third National Adaption Programme (NAP3) and the Fourth Strategy for Climate Adaption’. It sets out a plan for the next 5 years focussed along three themes – action, information and coordination. It aims to protect business and communities across England with a £5.2 billion investment in flood and coastal erosion schemes. DEFRA will jointly fund a forthcoming £15 million UK Research and Innovation /Defra programme to support the research and innovation needed to deliver adaptation action. There is a section on Communities and Cultural Heritage which acknowledges the problems of flooding and temperature change, it also accepts the risk to intangible heritage from Climate Change. Gov.uk (website), Gov.uk (policy paper, pdf, 141pgs)
The National Trust and Public First have published a report highlighting the need for climate adaption in the UK. Published in June the report includes case studies, examines the current policy strategies in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as well as comparisons with other nations. It points to the lack of evidence on which to base decisions and timeframes needed for adaption that stretch beyond current programming cycles. National Trust (press release), National Trust (pdf, 41 pgs)
RIBA launches new prize to encourage refurbishment over demolition
The Royal Institute of British Architects announced the first Reinvention Award shortlist celebrating the creative reuse of buildings to improve their environmental, social or economic sustainability. The four named ‘new’ buildings include NMDC member the Museum of the Home in Hackney, alongside Houlton School in Warwickshire, Great Things Lie Ahead, 2020, Holborn House, a community building, and the University of Wolverhampton School of Architecture and the Built Environment. The winner will be announced at the RIBA Stirling Prize Ceremony on 19 October in Manchester. RIBA, Guardian
The environmental impact of an exhibition examined in digital resource
This resources from the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation provides an interesting overview of the environmental impact of a travelling exhibition that reached nearly 47,000 visitors. From production of the art work to merchandise it looks at the distribution of emissions and energy consumption. You need to sign up for a free account to access the publication. CGF
Also: Acropolis closes to protect tourists as Greece faces unprecedented heatwave, GuardianAlso: Victorian heating system of National Trust property has been transformed into a conservation-focused set-up, ICON
Visit England 2022 survey shows visits still down a third on 2019
The Annual Survey of Visits to Visitor Attractions for 2022 showed some recovery from 2021 increasing 42% overall but numbers were still down 35% on 2019 figures. London saw the largest regional increase up 141% on last year driven by the return of international visitors. Top of the most-visited paid for attractions was the Tower of London with NMDC members Kew Gardens featuring at number 2 and Beamish – The Living Museum of the North at number 15. The top most-visited free attractions included the Natural History Museum at number 1, followed by Brighton Pier and the British Museum. Headline information on rising costs showed free attractions were most likely to absorb higher costs, with about a third of charging attractions passing on higher energy charges to visitors and just under half increased their prices to cover higher wages and supplier costs.
Looking at categories of visitor attractions, ‘Museums/Art Galleries’ saw strong recovery last year, with visits up 114% on 2021. Accessibility is becoming a priority, with over half of attractions investing in provisions including training. 62% of attractions now have an environment strategy and/or budget. VisitBritain (news article), VisitBritain (results), VisitBritain (full trends report)
Historic England share audience segments information
Created in direct response to Historic England’s Inclusion, Diversity, and Equality Strategy, audience segments information can be used as a tool in the pursuit of inclusion and diversity goals, as well as a tool for working with different audiences. The segments are defined by the motivations which might lead people to connect with heritage. There are summary snapshots and segments in full with more in-depth information. Historic England (website), Historic England (snapshots), Historic England (in-depth)
National Lottery Days Out campaign launched in partnership with VisitBritain
Launched on 3 July and running to 30 September, the UK-wide campaign to boost UK tourism offers all National Lottery players a £25 discount voucher towards participating attractions including Kew Gardens and Royal Museums Greenwich. VisitEngland
Also: VisitBritian/VisitEngland opening new Birmingham hub from April 2024. VisitEngland
E. Minetti Ladieswear - Black Country Living Museum
Museums debate whether Threads will be the social media platform to replace Twitter
In this blog the National Archive’s Digital Engagement Officer Steven Franklin looks at Meta’s Threads app including thoughts on strategy and whether it really is time to delete Twitter. Don’t overlook the comments on privacy and accessibility. Cultural ContentAlso: Museums go for broke on new social media platform Threads, Art Newspaper (£), Threads users decline significantly despite initial surge in sign-ups, GuardianAlso: TikTok introduces text only posts, Guardian
Digital success stories across UK heritage to be shared at free event
‘Reflect, Share, Inspire – Digital Skills for Heritage’ will take place on 18 October 2023 at the British Museum and online. For anyone working or volunteering in a UK heritage organisation, it will take a look at the National Lottery Heritage Fund’s Digital Skills for Heritage initiative and share reflections around achievements and learnings from a variety of projects. Arts Marketing Association
DCN go on tour this Autumn to help you with your digital needs
The Digital Culture Network are hosting in-person events in London, Birmingham and York offering two hour sessions in which they will share common digital challenges and best practice. They will also be offering an interactive virtual event if you are unable to make the in-person dates. Tickets are limited to 2 per organisation and cover topics including digital marketing, ticketing and accessibility. Events run in September with the virtual event in October. DCN
Museums Association launches new toolkit for ethical disposal of museum collections
The toolkit offers ethical advice on the transfer, reuse, and disposal of museums’ collections which represents an everyday and necessary part of collections management. The toolkit has been developed with a steering group of representatives from the MA’s Ethics Committee, ACE, MGS, Welsh Government, NIMC, NMDC, Collections Trust, AIM and the NLHF. Museums Association (website), Museums Association (toolkit, pdf, 31 pgs)
Arts Council publish report on the export of works and objects of cultural interest for 2022-23
The report outlines the range of objects considered by the Reviewing Committee and recommend to the Government as national treasures this year. Examples include Rebecca Solomon’s ‘A Young Teacher’ jointly acquired by Tate and Museum of the Home and the only Victoria Cross awarded to a member of the RAF or their service in the Far East in the Second World War. It includes all cases brought before the Committee for consideration, including those still outstanding and National Treasures that were not saved. Arts Council (news story), Arts Council (report, pdf, 52pgs)
Wales plans for dispersed national contemporary art collection
The Welsh Government has unveiled plans to disperse the national contemporary art collection in galleries across the country. The aim is to provide increased access to the national collection and bring contemporary art closer to communities. A new digital platform has been launched to support the initiative. 9 venues have been shortlisted to be members of the network. Wales.gov, Museums Association
Spectrum collections management standard to be translated into Welsh
Funding from the Welsh Government will see the latest Spectrum collections management standard translated into Welsh to support Welsh museums to meet the accreditation standard. The translation will be free to download from the Collections Trust website in early 2024. There is an opportunity to feedback on key terms running to 14 August. Collections Trust (news article), Collections Trust (feedback) Also: The Welsh Government have arranged a number of free workshops courtesy of the Collections Trust for staff in museums (accredited and working towards) in Wales on how to use Spectrum collections management system. Upcoming sessions include – 6 Sept (Use of Collections), 10 Oct (Use of Collections), 25 Jan (loans), 7 Feb (loans) For enquiries please contact the Collections Trust – [email protected]
New toolkit on telling histories of childhood heritage
The Centre for the History of Childhood based at the University of Oxford have published a toolkit for heritage professionals and academics. 11 case studies explore innovative approaches to histories of childhood and it summarises the latest research in the history of childhood and examines a wide range of sources that can be used to uncover new and diverse histories. Oxford Uni (website), Oxford Uni (toolkit, pdf, 66pgs)
New handbook explores how to measure the social impact of culture
The MESOC (Measuring the Social Impact of Culture) Handbook, funded by the EU’s Horizon 2020 programme presents texts, case studies, practical resources and recommended reading on the subject of measuring the social impact of culture. The handbook goes beyond measuring the economic impact which often prevails in public discourse. There is a useful section on the different approaches used for the assessment of social impact and recommendations for improving impact. Recommendations for policy makers include-
Planning for long term interventions that go beyond electoral periods.
Bottom up approaches to supporting programmes to integrate the local reality.
Supporting the scalability of culture programmes.
There are also recommendations for cultural operators with points on building qualified teams and the centrality of inclusion and diversity. MESOC (website), MESOC (handbook)
University of Glasgow report looks at the value of arts and humanities in a place-based approach to policy
‘Developing a People-Centred, Place-Led Approach: The Value of the Arts and Humanities’ suggests a fundamental approach to place-based work represented by the acronym MAP-
Foregrounding place as a centre of meaning.
Embedding creative approaches within place-based work.
Developing inclusive processes based on equitable partnerships.
The report looks at over 2500 records of AHRC-funded projects from 2011 to 2022 that had a focus on place. There are a number of case studies including Coventry-City of Culture, Bradford and Nottingham. The report also explores different approaches including digital. University of Glasgow (website), University of Glasgow (report, pdf, 27 pgs)
Research highlights citizen participation in cultural activities enhances civic engagement
A new report highlights the concrete link between democracy and culture. The European Commission report maps out how citizens who participate in cultural activities are more likely to engage in civic and democratic life, another reason why it is crucial that cultural activities are inclusive and affordable. It highlights how investment in cultural activities can support a range of policy objectives in the fields of education; health and social care; social inclusion and crime reduction. EC (publication detail and report)
Counterpoint Arts showcases 12 case studies working with refugees
‘Creatively Minded and Refugees’ report explores the work of 12 organisations who offer creative opportunities, across a range of artforms, and support refugees and people seeking asylum. The report looks at the role of art in promoting mental health and wellbeing among refugees. Baring Foundation (website), Baring Foundation (report, pdf, 60 pgs)
Comprehensive mapping of arts and health evaluation frameworks and toolkits from UCL
The Social Biobehavioural Research Group at UCL have published a useful look at the different evaluation frameworks that exist in projects that have an arts and health slant. For arts and cultural organisations that want to map the impact of their work, it looks at why evaluation can be useful, who to involve in developing your frameworks and provides a collated list of toolkits for comparison. It also has sections on report writing and disseminating your results. UCL (website), UCL (report, pdf, 62 pgs)
Also: Online evaluation training for arts, culture and heritage professionals, new, free to access via FutureLearn online platform, registration opens 4 September. Centre for Cultural Value
Stanton's Record Shop - Black Country Living Museum
Creative recovery? Is a new report looks at the role of cultural policy in shaping our urban futures
King’s College London and World Cities Culture Forum have published a new report ‘Creative recovery? The role of cultural policy in shaping post-COVID urban futures’ which examines the policies, insights and data from 40 city partners and their response to Covid. It explores how the pandemic demanded new consideration of the geographical scales at which urban cultural policy operates with the switch to local networks. There is discussion on the implications for imagining and developing post-Covid urban futures and assesses whether policymakers have slipped back to pre-pandemic modes of operation. There are some interesting statistics around the main challenges in cities over the next 2-3 years with the majority choosing improving working conditions and pay within the cultural/creative sector. World Cities Culture Forum (website), World Cities Culture Forum (report, pdf, 80pgs)
Cost of Living Research Briefing points to impact on UK households
The House of Commons released a Research Briefing on the ‘Rising cost of living in the UK’ (21 July) which looks at food and energy inflation and compares UK inflation to other countries. It includes statistics on UK households from the Office for National Statistics which states 60% of adults in Great Britain reported an increase in their cost of living in June-July 2023 compared with a month ago. UK Parliament
Also: Kids in Museums launch Family Café Standard responding to feedback that the cost of food and drink at a museum can be a significant barrier to visiting. There is a checklist that looks at accessibility, sustainability and choice of food. Accreditation costs £250. Kids in Museums (website), Kids in Museums (checklist)
Museums Galleries Scotland commit to Fair Work First principles for all grantees
As distributors of Scottish Government Funding, Museums Galleries Scotland are required to implement two elements of the Fair Work First policy from 1 July 2023. These are: for workers to receive at least Real Living Wage; and for workers to be provided with appropriate channels for effective voice. Applicants will also need to demonstrate their awareness of, and commitment to, Fair Work principles by including a supporting statement on their website. Museums Galleries Scotland (Guidance for funding applicants)
AIM’s Spark! programme offers leaders an opportunity to re-energise this autumn
The Spark! Leadership programme from the Association of Independent Museums is an opportunity to strengthen your professional and personal resilience with a small group of museum directors and senior leaders. An opportunity to reignite your creativity, re-energise your teams and face the future with confidence. The programme runs from Oct 2023 – Jan 2024 with applications due by 15 September. Delivered online, participants are asked to make a £100 contribution towards the programme. AIM
Applications for a Churchill Fellowship open in September
Open to all UK adult citizens regardless of age qualifications or background, the Churchill Fellowship undertaken between August 2024 and July 2025 funds the fellow for 4-8 weeks to learn from leading practitioners, innovators and experts overseas on a subject of your choice. It can be carried out in person or online. The charity will then support you to share and implement your learning. They are inviting applications within a number of programmes including Arts and communities, Caring for our natural environment and Education in schools. Applications open on 12 September and close on 14 November. Churchill Fellowship
ASDC Conference 2023 bringing together science research centres
Taking place between the 28-29 September the ASDC Conference: The Power in Purpose will be in Belfast at the W5 Science and Discovery Centre. The national conference of the Association for Science and Discovery Centres will bring together professionals working in university public engagement and outreach, science discovery centres and museums to explore STEM engagement and education. Programme sessions include the role of informal science learning organisations for environmental sustainability and tackling misinformation and exploring mistrust. Tickets for members cost £200 and non-members £240. ASDC
International Conference on Digital Preservation hosted by the University of Illinois
iPres 2023 running from 19-22 September will have a focus on digital preservation in disruptive times. There are workshops and tutorials with sessions on the carbon footprint of digital preservation and migrating historical digital collections. There are options for online only attendance. iPRES (website), iPRES (registration)
Explore the ideas shaping the future of museums at the Museum Ideas Conference in London on 12 October. An international programme of speakers including participants from V&A East and the Natural History Museum will debate how museums are being transformed by co-creation, collaborative programming and community-led collecting. Tickets available on a sliding scale from £157 per person. Museum Ideas
The Future is Now: Youth Summit is a free event designed and delivered by young people at the Thinktank Birmingham on 6 October. Created by the Kids in Museums Youth Panel, attendees will have the opportunity to hear from the Birmingham Museums Trust, Tullie House and panel discussion on the future of how museums work with young people. There are 30 bursaries to support travel to the event, the deadline for applications is 15 September. Kids in Museums
This short course from the British Institute of International and Comparative Law is across 5 online sessions in September and October, it will include discussions of the key threats to cultural heritage, including armed conflicts, trafficking, and development. In doing so, it will also cover international instruments that have been adopted over the past decades to protect cultural heritage. The course will conclude with a session focused on restitution matters, considering past return processes and what can be learnt from them. The cost is £300. BIICL
The 2024 AIM Conference will be held at the Black Country Living Museum in the West Midlands on the 13 and 14 June 2024. You have till 29 September to propose a session with broad themes around community. AIM
Laurie Thomas Hairdressers - Black Country Living Museum
Chris Mullins to chair Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums’ Strategic Board. Mullins, journalist and former MP, will take up his role in September and lead TWAM through a number of projects including the National Treasures: JMW Turner exhibition at the Laing Art Gallery in May 2024. TWAM
Arts Council announce new Chair of the Acceptance in Lieu Panel. Michael Clarke, formerly Director of the Scottish National Gallery, has six years experience on the panel and replaces Edward Harley after a decade in the role. Deborah Shaw, Chief Executive of the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury, has also joined the Acceptance in Lieu Panel. Arts Council
Lilli Geissendorfer is stepping down as Director of Jerwood Arts after 5 years in the role, in September she will become the Deputy Director of Creative Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC). Arts ProfessionalAlso: Jerwood Foundation announces intention to merge Jerwood Charity (Jerwood Arts) into Jerwood Foundation. Jerwood Arts
Maasai families receive cows in recognition of ‘culturally sensitive heirlooms’ in Pitt Rivers, 6 July 2023, Art Newspaper (£)
Fears for Bristol arts scene due to delayed funding, 6 July 2023, BBC
Sir David Adjaye: the celebrated architect accused of sexual misconduct, 4 July 2023, Financial Times David Adjaye steps back from Holocaust Memorial, 6 July 2032, Guardian
