NMDC organised a reception in the Palace of Westminster for MPs and Lords on 7th May, sponsored by former Arts Minister Lord Vaizey. The aim of the event was to celebrate UK museums and their impact and highlight the incredible collections they care for, as well as to make Parliamentarians aware of the current crisis in the local authority-funded sector and the very real risks being faced by regional museums and collections.
Speakers included NMDC Chair and Director of Tate Maria Balshaw, who spoke about the impact and importance of the UK's museums both locally and internationally. The Arts and Heritage Minister Lord Parkinson spoke about government support for museums and Director Jenny Waldman shared headlines from Art Fund's latest survey of museum directors (due to be published w/c 20th May). Sara Wajid, Co-CEO of Birmingham Museums Trust and Kim Streets, CEO of Sheffield Museums Trust both spoke about the current challenges across the local authority museum sector, as well as what support is needed from the next government.
Objects were on display at the event from museums around the UK - all from collections or services at risk in some way, either through actual or proposed funding cuts or in councils with 114 notices - including Jane Austen's coat from Hampshire Cultural Trust, a replica gold helmet from the Staffordshire Hoard from Birmingham Museums Trust, and George Best's football boots from National Museums NI. Findings from a new YouGov poll demonstrating huge UK public support for museums were also shared (see more below).
The reception was well attended by Parliamentarians from both Houses, including the Chair and several members of the Culture Select Committee, Labour Shadow Culture Ministers, and constituency MPs of NMDC and ECMN member museums. Many thanks to all the museums who got in touch with their MPs to encourage them to attend, and to the English Civic Museums Network, Art Fund and Museums Association for support.
New survey highlights huge public support for UK museums
A new YouGov survey commissioned by NMDC and Art Fund has demonstrated how highly the UK public value their museums. In the poll 89% of UK adults said they think museums are important to UK culture, with nearly half (47%) saying they are very important. Three quarters (76%) of UK adults think having a local museum adds value to their area, and the same percentage think museums should receive at least half of their funding from government.
The YouGov survey also found that:
48% of UK adults visit museums at least once a year, with 35% of adults visiting twice or more. 51% of those with children said that their children visit museums at least once a year.
89% of UK adults think museums are important to UK culture, 47% think they are very important and only 7% think they are not important.
According to the UK public, the most important functions of a local museum are for education purposes, to preserve the past, and to connect with local history (62%, 59% and 56% respectively).
54% of UK adults would feel disappointed and 41% would feel sad if their local museum were to close. 19% would be angry and 16% frustrated.
76% think museums should receive at least half of their funding from government, and only 3% think that they should be entirely funded by other sources such as private investment and income generated from visitors.
When asked specifically about local museums, 74% said local government should provide at least half of their funding, with 45% saying that local government should provide most or all of their funding.
When asked if they think public funding for local museums has gone up or down since 2022, 44% of people correctly identified that it has gone down, with only 9% thinking it has stayed the same and 4% thinking it has gone up. NMDC, YouGov (full tables, pdf, 4pgs)
The 10th May 2024 marks the 200th anniversary of foundation of the National Gallery with a whole array of celebrations planned including a ‘Big Birthday Weekend’ featuring a ‘Late and Light Show’ from 6pm where Jools Holland will be performing. NG200 also sees 12 simultaneous exhibitions opening across the four nations of the UK which will mean more than half the population will be within an hour’s journey of a National Gallery masterpiece. There are also new commissions from artist Jeremy Deller and collaborations with 200 social media creators. BBC Front Row has also dedicated a whole programme to a behind-the-scenes visit to the gallery including an interview with Director, Gabriele Finaldi and staff who work on the artworks. Front Row (43mins), NG, Financial Times, Guardian, Art Newspaper (£)
Also: The Royal Mint commemorates 200 years of the National Gallery, Royal Mint
National Science and Media Museum sets an opening date for 2025
The Bradford based National Science and Media Museum, part of the Science Museum Group, has announced a phased reopening to coincide with Bradford’s City of Culture celebrations in 2025. The museum is undergoing a £6m capital project called ‘Sound and Vision’ which was originally due to open in Summer 2024. Unforeseen delays to the excavation of an additional passenger lift shaft have meant the museum will welcome City of Culture visitors at the start of the celebrations in 2025 and open the ‘Sound and Vision’ galleries later in the year. Jo Quinton-Tulloch, Director of the National Science and Media Museum said: “Having an additional passenger lift is a crucial part of our transformation that will enable us to welcome many more visitors in 2025 and beyond. Despite extensive survey work before the excavation commenced, our contractors encountered an unexpected make-up of ground at the base of the lift, which took much longer to excavate than anticipated. Whilst the impact of this delay in the short term is frustrating, our Sound and Vision project will future proof the museum for decades to come.” National Science and Media Museum, BBC, Museums Association
University museums benefit from £14m a year Research England funding
NMDC members including Manchester Museum, University of Cambridge Museums and University of Oxford Gardens, Libraries and Museums have benefitted from the Higher Education Museums, Galleries and Collections funding over the coming five years until 2029/2030. Cambridge University’s nine museums and collections will share £3m a year totalling £15m over the time period; Oxford’s museums including the Ashmolean have been allocated over £4m per year; and Manchester Museum will receive £1.8m. Great North Museum Hancock and the Hatton Gallery, part of Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums, have been awarded £315,000 per year. UKRI (breakdown of funding), Arts Professional, M+H Advisor (Cambridge), Newcastle University
National Museums Liverpool continue to face closure over staff strikes
The five venues run by National Museums Liverpool (NML) have continued to face disruption following an 8 week strike which began on 17th February in a dispute over a cost-of-living payment which Director, Laura Pye, says the museum cannot afford to pay. Members of the Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) have announced another 30 days of strikes which will see more than 200 PCS union members employed by NML walk out on eleven weekends and half term week from May to July. NML, PCS, BBC, Art Newspaper (£), M+H Advisor
Also: New designs unveiled for £58m redevelopment of two Liverpool Museums, BlooloopAlso: Plans approved to open historic Liverpool docks to the public, M+H Advisor
Horniman Museum appoints Gordon Seabright as new Chief Executive
Gordon Seabright, currently Chief Executive of Creative Land Trust, has been appointed to replace Nick Merriman as Chief Executive at Horniman Museum and Gardens. Seabright will join the museum from June as the museum works on their Nature + Love capital development project. Minister for Arts, Heritage and Libraries, Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay, said: “It's a pleasure to welcome Gordon Seabright, who brings a wealth of experience with him and joins a brilliant team at the Horniman Museum. I look forward to working with him as the museum heads towards its 125th anniversary and continues to inspire new generations about the planet around us.” Horniman Museum, Museums Association
Also: York Castle Museum loses £400k after Raac find sparked closure, BBC, Yorkshire PostAlso: Hull Maritime Museum announces details of new storage facility, Museums Association
Images this month celebrate the 200th anniversary of the National Gallery. The gallery will have a Big Birthday Weekend beginning on Friday 10 May with a Light Show and Late. 'The Fighting Temeraire' by Turner will be on show at the Laing Art Gallery in Newcastle upon Tyne, 'The Rokeby Venus' by Velázquez will go to the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool and Vermeer's 'A Young Woman at a Virginal' will be at National Galleries Scotland from the 10 May as part of the NG200 National Treasures programme which sees 12 artworks from the National Gallery's collections being lent across the country. NG National Treasures.
Published on the 24 March ‘Power and Partnership: Labour’s Plan to Power Up Britain’, the 28 page policy document sets out Labour’s vision for working with local government. Plans include deepening and widening devolution to city regions, long term financial settlements for local authorities and introducing a genuine living wage. Labour.gov (pdf, 28pgs), Local Government Chronicle (18 things to know about Labour’s vision)
The Museums Association have also published their top tips for advocating for your museum. This toolkit from the Shelia McKechnie Foundation is a great free resource to support campaigners, activists and changemakers. Changemakers Toolkit
Welsh museums face the repercussions of £4.5m cut to their budget
The BBC reported that at least 90 jobs will go at Amgueddfa Cymru/Museum Wales following a £4.5m cut to budgets imposed by the Welsh government. Questions were also raised over the future of National Museum Cardiff because of the need for maintenance on the building. The Museums Association reported that Museum Wales had already made around 90 voluntary redundancies from a staff of approximately 600. Art Newspaper, Arts Professional. Good news for Welsh museums comes in the form of £400,000 development grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund for the Gwynedd’s National Slate Museum, part of a £19m ambitious project to celebrate the slate landscapes of north-west Wales. ExperienceUK, Heritage Fund.
Welsh First Minister, Vaughan Gething, defended the cuts and offered no immediate help to Amgueddfa Cymru reiterating that difficult decisions needed to be made and the NHS was a priority after a decade of austerity. BBC
The Chief Executive of Amgueddfa Cymru Jane Richardson responded to the cuts in an interview in the Guardian at the end of March, admitting they may have to close sites and become better at finding new income streams. She said museums in Wales needed to be less about the buildings and more about the collections they hold and the diverse stories they tell. Also: Welsh pub serving beer to open at museum outside Cardiff, Art Newspaper (£)
The conversation returns to scrapping free museum entry and sell-offs
The dire situation faced by many museums in the recent and ongoing rounds of funding cuts has prompted a renewed discussion around introducing charges for museum entry. The Art Newspaper opinion piece by writer and broadcaster Ben Lewis advocates for charging an entry fee which he believes would put an end to low pay for museum workers and a reliance on sponsorship from fossil fuel companies.
The Sunday Times followed up with an investigation into the pros and cons of entry fees with quotes from Maria Balshaw, Director of Tate and Chair of NMDC, who said: “We are all struggling financially, what we get from the government is 50 per cent lower in relation to our costs than it was in 2010.” Jane Richardson, Chief Executive of Amgueddfa Cymru/Museum Wales, spoke on the importance of accessibility: “It’s fundamentally important that people can access their national collections,” she says. “If charging was introduced we would have to make it possible for people on low or no incomes to come in.”
Director of the V&A, Tristram Hunt, Tony Butler, Executive Director of Derby Museums, and Esme Ward, Director of Manchester Museum were also quoted. Jenny Waldman, Director of the Art Fund, drew attention to the plight of local authority museums: “Local authority support is disappearing and that affects not just big civic museums but also the independents that used to get public funding.” Sunday Times (£)
The Art Newspaper also looked at whether cash-strapped local authorities will be tempted into selling off art to plug shortfalls.
‘Culture makes…’ campaign aims to highlight the impact of culture and heritage across the UK
The ‘Culture makes…’ campaign launched by the Cultural Philanthropy Foundation has gathered more than 150 organisational voices to make the case for the importance of culture and heritage to communities in the run up to the next general election. Each month the campaign will celebrate one of the eight types of impacts that culture and heritage can make including economic, social and educational benefit. The first celebration will be of creative benefit on 24 May, you can sign up for a toolkit to take part. Cultural Philanthropy Foundation, Arts Professional, Museums Association
Also: Has it come to this? We must act now to save Birmingham’s culture from cuts, Observer
Government statistics show the gender pay gap in the cultural sector has increased
Official statistics for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport sectors from October 2022 to September 2023 have shown that as of April 2023, for every £1.00 earned by a man employed in the included DCMS sectors, a woman earns £0.80. This is a gender pay gap of 19.8%, larger than the UK overall (14.2%). This is a 0.2% percentage point decrease from last year and a 3.1% percentage point decrease from pre-pandemic (22.9%). Gov.uk (headline figures), Arts Professional, Guardian
Curatorial Workforce Wellbeing Survey highlights challenges to the sector
The Association for Art History’s Curatorial Workforce Wellbeing Survey captured responses from art curators using a survey launched in November 2023. Highlights from the survey include-
63% said workplace morale, including wellbeing, had become worse over the last three years.
75% felt their organisations did not take wellbeing seriously.
70% cited excessive workload.
Recommendations from the report made by AAH include prioritising workforce wellbeing, improving pay and offer paths towards career progression. AAH
Opportunity to research and develop Early Years programming
The Art Fund in collaboration with Nesta are looking for 8 museums who are leaders in early years learning to explore early years innovation in museums and help encourage a wider range of families to visit. Each museum will receive a grant of £65,000 to cover the costs of participating. The selected museums will be instrumental in the design and testing of a new intervention in early years programming for the museum sector. Applications close on 15 May. Art Fund
Museums invited to take part in 2027 celebrations for William the Conqueror
DCMS are supporting a programme organised by the Normandy Region in France to celebrate the millennium of the birth of William the Conqueror in 2027. The international programme invites local authorities, cultural organisations, and communities to share in activities. Museums can contact DCMS to discuss their ideas for the anniversary at [email protected]. Normandy Region can be contacted at [email protected] or [email protected]. Museums Association
Arts and humanities university courses face reductions
Following the cuts to ceramics and glass courses at Sunderland University, mentioned in last month’s NMDC Newsletter, more universities are proposing cuts to arts subjects. Arts Professional reported seven universities had announced job cuts to arts courses including the University of Kent which is ‘phasing out’ six subjects (including art history) with 58 job cuts. BBC. In February Goldsmiths University of London announced up to 130 posts were at risk of redundancy affecting courses in Music, Theatre and Performance, English and Creative Writing and Visual culture, including sacking half the staff in the history department. Guardian, University and College Union. Arts Professional further reported on 1 May: ‘Full scale of university arts cuts emerges’, noting that eight universities had imposed direct cuts on creative degrees and fourteen universities were implementing redundancy programmes affecting arts degrees or closing creative courses. A BBC Front Row discussion on 17th April looked at the reasons behind the cuts and considers the consequences. BBC Front Row (from 13.20mins). On 4th April the Guardian reported on Education Secretary Gillian Keegan’s plans to further cut funding for performing and creative arts courses.
Also: UK’s creative industries bring in more revenue than cars, oil and gas – so why is arts education facing cuts? The ConversationAlso: Top 5 world rankings for archaeology degrees and the UK features in the top 3. Top Universities
AIM request help to update their Economic Impact Toolkit
The Association of Independent Museums (AIM) are updating their Economic Impact Toolkit which helps to assess the economic impact of independent museum sector in the UK. It is useful for museums looking to assess and evidence their contribution to their local and regional economies. Please complete their survey by 10th May which should take around 10 mins. AIM
Workforce Diversity Survey opens from Historic England
As part of their ongoing work on inclusion, diversity and equality, Historic England are asking for participants to take part in their Workforce Diversity Survey to understand who is currently represented in the sector. The aim is to encourage more diverse voices and people with lived experience to get involved in the sector. Answers are anonymous and the survey runs until 28th June 2024. Historic England (survey)
UK Museums honoured in European Museum of the Year Awards
Three UK Museums and NMDC members were nominated in the European Museum of the Year Awards which took place in Portimão on 4th May, and two took away prizes. The Museum of the Home was awarded the Meyvaert Museum Prize for Environmental Sustainability, an award given to a museum ‘which shows an exceptional commitment to reflecting and addressing issues of sustainability and environmental health in its collecting, documentation, displays and public programming as well as in the management of its own social, financial and physical resources.’
The Museum of Making in Derby received a special commendation given to museums that have developed a new and innovative aspect of their public service and from which other European museums can learn.
Sámi Museum Siida, Inari, Finland took the top prize of European Museum of the Year, the prize goes to ‘a museum which contributes profoundly to our understanding of the world as well as to the development of new paradigms and professional standards in museums.’ The Burrell Collection in Glasgow also received a nomination for the prestigious award. EMYA (nominees) EuropeanForum (winners)
Art Fund Museum of the Year finalists for 2024 announced
Three NMDC members are among the finalists for this year’s Art Fund Museum of the Year Prize. Manchester Museum, the National Portrait Gallery and Young V&A join Craven Museum, Skipton Town Hall and Dundee Contemporary Arts on the shortlist. The judges for 2024 include Anupam Ganguli, Vick Hope, Tania Kovats, Sir John Leighton and Art Fund Director, Jenny Waldman. The winner of the £120,000 prize will be announced on 10 July with £15,000 given to each of the other four finalists. Art Fund, BBC
Association of Art History Curatorial Prizes announced for 2024
‘Black Atlantic: Power, People, Resistance’ (8 Sept 2023 – 7 Jan 2024) at the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge has won the 2024 exhibition prize from the Association of Art History. Judges said it was ‘a brave exhibition with a powerful and innovative approach to interpreting exhibition objects and their relation to collections across the university’. The Curatorial Writing and Publications Prize was awarded to ‘Women in Revolt! Art and Activism in the UK 1970-1990’ based on the exhibition at Tate Britain which ran from Nov 2023-April 2024. AAH
£14.8m goes to industrial heritage projects in the latest round of Heritage Fund grants
Seven projects will share £14.8m from the National Lottery Heritage Fund as the UK’s industrial heritage is celebrated and preserved. The projects include over £3.5m to the Docking Station Medway in Kent, a partnership between the University of Kent, Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust and Medway Council, to restore and regenerate the Grade II listed Police Section House of the former Royal Dockyard Chatham. £2.3m has been awarded to The Pioneer Sailing Trust to develop training facilities and a new apprenticeship scheme. Glasgow will benefit from £1.6m for the former tobacco pipe factory in the 100 year old Barras Market which will become a centre for exhibitions and events. NLHF, M+H Advisor
28 community groups awarded funding to celebrate Windrush Day
The government has announced the 28 projects that will receive £480,000 to mark Windrush Day on 22 June. Recipients include Royal Pavilion and Brighton Museums who were awarded £17,700 and the Brixton Project, a community-led carnival of art, theatre and music. Gov.uk (press release), gov.uk (list of projects)
Heritage skills and estate management find a new home at York Minster
The Garfield Weston Foundation has pledged £500,000 to set up a new Centre of Excellence for Heritage Skills and Estate Management at York Minster. Part of a £2m total fundraising campaign the Centre is being created to retain traditional craft skills and their practitioners. Due to open in 2024, the Centre is hoping to support young people in the early stages of their careers and provide dedicated residential facilities for apprentices and trainees. York Minster, M+H Advisor
Eligible organisations, including accredited museums and local authorities, can apply for loans from £1-£75m for a term of 25 years with flexible interest. Projects must deliver benefits in energy efficiency, clean transportation, or renewable energy. Expressions of Interest are open until Wednesday 15th May. Mayor of London
Paul Hamlyn Arts Fund applications close on 31 May 2024
The Arts Fund from Paul Hamlyn Foundation supports the long-term development and transformation of organisations as a route towards social justice and sustainability. Grants range from £90-£300,000 lasting for three years which can support core costs. The Foundation is looking to build capacity and resources for culture within historically underfunded communities, explore the role artists can play in addressing issues of social justice and create the infrastructure for a more equitable cultural sector. The deadline for applications is 31st May 2024. PHF (fund details), Zoom Q&A
The Textile Society invites applications for awards of up to £5,000
The Museum, Archive and Conservation Award from The Textile Society is designed to support textile related projects within a museum, archive or conservation studio for an exhibition, publication or conservation project that will achieve greater public awareness or access. Priority will be given to small and medium size accredited (or working to accreditation) organisations with a turnover of less than £750,000. Applicants must be institutional members of The Textile Society (join by 18 May to be eligible). The deadline for applications is 1st June 2024. The Textile Society
AHRC funding for heritage research translated into climate change policy
Announced on the 16 April, this funding from the Arts and Humanities Research Council will be looking to award grants of £45-£60,000 to maximise the impact of UK arts and humanities research, and ensure it supports cultural heritage and cultural voices in planning for the future with climate change. The funding aims to support projects that are co-designed and co-produced with the heritage sector. The opportunity is designed to encourage and support the formation and translation of cultural heritage in shaping climate change policy. Successful grantees will be supported with cohort meetings to encourage knowledge sharing and networking. The deadline for applications is 20 June and projects must start on 2nd September 2024 and be completed by 31 March 2025. UKRI
UK Giving Report shows record amounts donated but by fewer people
The 20th UK Giving Report by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) published in March has shown that an estimated £13.9 billion was donated last year but by fewer people. This is an increase on the £12.7 billion donated in 2022 but the increase was driven by people donating larger amounts rather than an increase in donors. The typical donation of £20 hasn’t changed in seven years, a donation to a charity in 2017 would need to increase by more than £25 for a charity to buy the same amount of goods and services in 2024. CAF (press release), CAF (report, pdf, 19pgs)
The Avant Art report shows museums are still key for young art collectors
Avant Art, the online art marketplace, has produced a report which looks at the new generation of art collectors and it has some surprising revelations around supporting museums including –
61% of the new generation collectors go to a museum or gallery at least once a month.
74% cite traditional museum and gallery spaces as their main source of inspiration.
40% were keen to do more to support museums financially but, of them, 75% were unsure how they could.
90% of new generation art collectors don’t believe the art world is welcoming or inclusive.
74% keep up to date with the art world by visiting museums and galleries, the same percentage that use Instagram to keep informed. Avant Arte
Also: Treasury considers UK tax reform to boost philanthropy, Financial Times (£)
UK signs up to UNESCO’s convention on Intangible Cultural Heritage
Minster for Arts and Heritage Lord Parkinson signed the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage on 12 April. The convention recognizes traditional craftsmanship, oral traditions and expressions, performing arts, social practices, rituals and festive events, knowledge and practices related to nature and the universe. Effective from 7 June 2024, the UK becomes the 183rd state to join. UNESCO
Europa Nostra name the 7 most endangered European heritage sites
Europa Nostra, the pan-European heritage organisation, has named this year’s most endangered European heritage sites. The 2024 list includes two sites in Turkey heavily damaged by the earthquake in February 2023. Each site receives €10,000 from the European Investment Bank. One of the 7 sites named at risk is in Roubaix-Tourcoing, France, which features working class housing (courées) threatened by urban regeneration. Europa Nostra
Arts Council National Portfolio Organisations and Investment Principles Support Organisations can now report their environmental information using Creative Climate Tools from Julie’s Bicycle. The reporting window runs from 1st May – 28th June 2024 and the information provided will be collated, analysed and published in the Environmental Programme Annual Report. Reporting also helps to fulfil ACE’s environmental responsibility principle. Julie’s Bicycle
The podcast features stories of leaders across working on transformation projects in film, music, galleries, academia, activism, tech, design and performing arts across the world. The first 6 episodes provide inspiring stories of radical changemaking. The transcripts of the podcasts are also available. Julie’s Bicycle
Also: UK museums take global lead in sustainability, Art Newspaper (£) Also: Top 9 sustainability trends in the attractions industry for 2024, Blooloop
UK government publishes Cyber security breaches survey for 2024
The Cyber security breaches survey is primarily used by government to inform policy on cyber security it considers the different cyber attacks and cyber crimes organisations face as well as how well organisations are impacted and respond. Details from the survey include:
Half of business and a third of charities report having some sort of cyber breach or attack in the last 12 months.
The most common form of breach or attack is phishing (84% of business and 83% of charities).
The most common cyber threats are relatively unsophisticated, so government advises business and charities to protect themselves using a set of ‘cyber hygiene’ measures.
Only 54% of business have an agreed process for phishing emails.
Only 26% of charities have undertaken cyber security risk assessments in the last year.
Also: US and UK announce formal partnership on artificial intelligence safety, Guardian
Also: Interesting article on the re-emergence of Pinterest and how the platform is collaborating with museums including the V&A. 'Not-so-new kid on the block: Pinterest moves in on museums', Art Newspaper (£)
Also: A blog interview with Martin Poulter, part-time Wikimedian in Residence at the Khalili Foundation looking at how GLAM institutions can make their digital content more visible via platforms like Wikipedia. He talks through making an online version of the British Museum’s Hajj exhibition. Cultural Content
Oxford Cultural Leaders opens for applications to its Residential Programme
Based at Oxford University the Oxford Cultural Leaders Residential Programme runs from 15-20 September and comprises of workshops, discussions and interactive sessions led by Oxford faculty and experts from across the cultural sector. 26 participants will have an opportunity to re-examine their approach to leadership across 6 days. Fees range from £3,830 for not-for-profit organisations to £6,130 for larger for profit organisations. The deadline for applications is Monday 3 June. Oxford University
Senior Fundraising Fellowship from Arts Fundraising & Philanthropy opens
Arts Fundraising & Philanthropy are offering 10 senior fundraising professionals from across England a chance to benefit from a tailored 12 month training programme that will lead to a post-graduate qualification from the University of Leeds. The programme is also an opportunity to grow networks and garner peer support. Applicants need to be able to dedicate 24 days across the year, costs are on a sliding scale from £1,500 for organisations with a turner over of more than £4m to free for organisations with a turnover of less than £2m. The deadline for applications is Monday 3 June. Arts Fundraising
RCMG offer two PhD opportunities in collaboration with museums
The Research Centre for Museums and Galleries (RCMG) based in Leicester are offering two Collaborative Doctoral Partnerships with the British Museum and National Museums Northern Ireland. Funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council the British Museum collaboration is entitled ‘Power and partnerships – principles, power and structure with the British Museum' and has an application deadline of 14 June. The partnership with National Museums Northern Ireland is on a theme of ‘A tragedy not to preserve now, while there is still time’ – the establishment of a Folk Museum for Ulster, 1929-1964. Applications for this PhD need to be in by 20 May. RCMG
Celebrate International Museums Day for 2024 on Saturday 18th May. The theme for this year is ‘Museums for Education and Research’ which aims to underscore the significance of museums as dynamic educational institutions, fostering learning, discovery and cultural understanding. You can add your event to ICOM’s interactive map and download a poster from their website. ICOM, ICOM (map), ICOM (poster)
This year’s Creativity & Wellbeing Week runs from 20-26th May and is run by London Arts in Health and the Culture, Health and Wellbeing Alliance. The festival creates core partnership events, while encouraging and supporting organisations to organise their own activities. Events can take any form and can be held in clinical settings, cultural buildings or in the community. Register on their website to add your own events. Creativity & Wellbeing Week, Register events
The Museum of London and the London College of Fashion are teaming up to offer a two day conference on 30-31 May in-person and online. Providing interdisciplinary voices from curation, conservation, journalism and design to discuss research and practice in fashion exhibition making. Sessions will be held at the Museum of London Docklands and the London College of Fashion’s East Bank campus. Topics include engaging local communities, addressing stereotypes and ethical and social responsibility in exhibitions. Tickets cost a nominal £5 per day for in-person attendance. There will also be an evening drinks reception. Attendance for students is free. Conference information, Book tickets
Digital environmental sustainability workshops in May and June
The Sussex Digital Humanities Lab at the University of Sussex and the Digital Humanities Climate Coalition are offering three training sessions to look at the environmental impact of digital technologies. From global carbon emissions to the contributions digital can make to net zero, climate risk management, and environmental sustainability. The workshops are:
Introduction to Digital Sustainability – Half day workshop in Brighton on 30 May. Focussing on arts, culture, and heritage organisations. Apply here.
Designing the Future of Digital Sustainability – Half day workshop at the Natural History Museum in London on 6 June to explore the future of of digital technologies in relation to climate change, climate action, and climate justice. Apply here
Build a Carbon Neutral Website – Two day workshop on 19 and 26 June at the University of Sussex, teaching you how to use Jekyll, Github, and the Digital Climate Action site builder to create your own carbon neutral website. Apply here.
These sessions are free, funded by AHRC and part of Future Observatory, the Design Museum’s national research programme for the green transition. Sussex Humanities Lab
Engaging with schools: From planning to evaluation
GEM are running this course in June across five Mondays from 3-4.30pm. Designed for museum learning practitioners it will help you to become familiar with the needs of schools, discover effective marketing techniques and learn about working in partnership. This online course starts on Monday 3rd June and costs £140 for GEM members and £180 for non-members. GEM
Future Proofing Heritage: Sustainability and resilience 11 June 2024 at the V&A
The London Festival of Architecture, the V&A’s Culture in Crisis Programme, International National Trust Organisation and World Monuments Fund are hosting this in-person event at the V&A in London on Tuesday 11th June. Bringing together the voices of heritage specialists working around the world, there will be presentations on climate and conservation and an opportunity to rethink how to restore, build and sustain heritage structures and buildings to withstand extreme weather, the day will finish with a round-table discussion. This hybrid event (online or in-person) is free. Culture in Crisis
Looking at the transformative potential of immersive technologies, the Museum XR Summit runs across 26-27th June. The virtual conference from MuseumNext includes speakers from English Heritage, the Smithsonian and Royal Air Force Museum looking at topics ranging from gamification, cost and storytelling. Tickets cost from £30 for students to £260 for unlimited organisation access. MuseumNext
Income generation to be tackled in July with the Museums Association
An online day of inspiration ‘Money Talks: Income Generation for Museums’ will focus on practical and achievable ways that your museum can generate sustainable income - through ticketing, events and commercial ventures. Speakers include representatives from the Tank Museum, English Heritage and Glasgow Life. The day runs on Zoom from 11-4pm. Museums Association
ENCATC, the European network on cultural management and policy, are running their 2024 Congress in Lecce, Italy, from 18-20th September, with a focus on sustainable futures. ‘Culture that matters: Interdisciplinary Approaches for Sustainable Futures’ will work towards practical solutions and critical dialogue on climate action within the creative sectors. The congress will bring together theoretical insights and real world applications from across the globe. Early bird fees of €250 for members and €350 for non-members are until 15th July 2024. Full price fees are €300 for members and €390 for non-members (fees do not include transportation, accommodation or subsistence). ENCATC
The Museum of Homelessness will be beginning its first Open Season at its new permanent site in Finsbury Park on 24th May with 'How to survive the apocalypse', a 90-minute show created by people with experience of homelessness. The production is "about reframing the myths and stereotypes of homelessness and showing that the answers to some of our most pressing problems can often be found with the people at the sharp end of society". Booking is required. The MoH also has a wider programme of talks, workshops and events running until 30th November 2024. Museum of Homelessness
Shildon’s Locomotion museum gets ready to open in May
Part of the Science Museum Group, Locomotion, in County Durham, will open on 24th May in a new £8m building. Housing 46 historic rail vehicles, the New Hall will be the largest collection of rail vehicles in Europe. The new building will also be the hub for celebrations to mark the 200th anniversary of the opening of the Stockton & Darlington Railway in 2025. Locomotion, BBC
Four new interactive galleries and three specialist collection vaults have been opened at the Bowes Museum in County Durham following co-production work with local communities. The new galleries include the Conversation Gallery where people can sit, relax, chat and debate artworks that link to wider world challenges and ideas and the Create Gallery where visitors can investigate the making processes behind collection objects. House furniture, textiles and ceramic object collection vaults will also be accessible during specialist guided tours. Bowes Museum, Northern Echo
The £15m transformation of the former Jewry Wall Museum in Leicester is due to open in early 2025. The ‘immersive experience’ will be an opportunity for visitors to experience Roman culture and living. The project, delayed by Covid, is being undertaken by Leicester City Council. BBC, Time Out
Scotland’s heritage re-openings are set to attract visitors in 2024
The Scottish Crannog Centre has reopened three years after the devastating fire that destroyed their Iron Age roundhouse. The new site at Dalerb on Loch Tay is the result of £2.7m funding and the Iron Age Village now features seven archaeologically inspired buildings. Glasgow’s oldest house, Provand’s Lordship, has also re-opened following a £1.6m refurbishment. The building from 1471 is one of only four surviving medieval buildings in Glasgow. Museums Galleries Scotland, Glasgow Life, STV News (includes video)
Also: ‘George’s machines’: museum devoted to George Wyllie opens on the Clyde, Guardian, Wyllieum
Also: Birkenhead’s transformation: New U-Boat museum set to anchor Woodside’s cultural renaissance, Experience UK
The British Library have announced that Sir Roly Keating will step down as Chief Executive from April 2025. Keating was appointed twelve years ago replacing Dame Lynne Brindley, his tenure has seen major new partnerships including the Knowledge Quarter around the London site and digital initiatives including ‘Save our Sounds’ to rescue and digitise the UK’s audio heritage. British Library, Museums Association
Saul Nassé has been appointed as Chief Executive and Keeper of the National Archives taking over from Dr Jeff James from July 2024. Nassé has held leadership roles at the BBC, he is a fellow of Robinson College at the University of Cambridge and former Group Chief Executive of Cambridge Assessment, the university’s examinations business. National Archives
The Heritage Alliance has appointed Carole Souter as their new Chair of Trustees. Souter was Chief Executive of the National Lottery Heritage Fund from 2003-16 and recently stepped down as Interim Chair of Historic Royal Palaces, she takes up her role in July. HA
Anna Eavis and Roisha Hughes are named as trustees to the National Memorial Heritage Fund and National Lottery Heritage Fund for a three year term. Eavis is Chief Executive of the Oxford Preservation Trust and Hughes worked for the Mayor of London and DCMS before founding her own consultancy practice. NLHF, Arts Professional
Moira Sinclair to step down as Chief Executive of Paul Hamlyn Foundation (PHF) after 10 years in charge. Sinclair who is also Chair of Clore Leadership and Chair at Manchester’s Factory international will leave in February 2025. PHF
Founder and Director of London’s Vagina Museum, Florence Schechter, has announced her intention to step down in May. The museum founded in 2017 is based in Bethnal Green. Museums Association
Anna Terry Director of the Museum of Brands, based in London, is stepping down after 18 years in the role. M+H Advisor
Young researchers need greater access to Britain’s rich archives, says curator, 25 April 2024, Guardian
Social media backlash: how (and how not) to respond when your art organisation comes under fire, 22 April 2024, Art Newspaper (£)
Plans to demolish former Museum of London site paused, 18 April 2024, M+H Advisor
Manchester’s tourist tax raised a whopping £2.8 million in its first year, 18 April 2024, Time Out
The art of the turnaround: Watershed, Bristol, share five ‘rules’ for financially turning your organisation around, 18 April 2024, Arts Professional (£)
Time for a national youth arts trust? 18 April 2024, Arts Professional (£)
