Museum land use and management research project launched
NMDC has partnered with the Association of Independent Museums and Welsh Government with support from Museum Galleries Scotland, National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council England to announce a pioneering research project exploring museum land use and management. M·E·L Research have been chosen to undertake the research which will look at landscapes, green and blue spaces. It will explore and highlight the impact of these spaces on community engagement, environmental sustainability, and cultural heritage stewardship. You can sign up to keep updated on the project or share your views. AIM (project information), M·E·L Research (sign up for information)
Following the publication of last month’s YouGov survey commissioned by NMDC and Art Fund on the importance the public places on museums there have been a number of news stories reporting on the results. Museums Association, M+H Advisor, NEMO
Natural History Museum sets an opening date for their transformed gardens
The Natural History Museum will open their 5 acre reimagined gardens on the 18 July. The project, which received a £3.2m National Lottery Heritage Fund grant, will extend the Museum’s Wildlife garden to double the area of native habitats and increase the pond area by 60%. A new bronze dinosaur cast will take centre stage in the Jurassic garden and include a living laboratory hub where Museum scientists and volunteers can develop best practice to protect urban nature. NHM (press release), Museums Association, Blooloop
NHM and Kew announce funding for mycological research
The Natural History Museum and Royal Botanical Gardens Kew will be able to sequence the DNA of the fungi and lichens collection in their care thanks to a £4.5m grant from the UK Government (Defra). The research funding marks a step forward for a new biodiversity alliance between RBG Kew, NHM and Zoological Society of London (ZSL). The alliance will bring together collective expertise to halt biodiversity loss. Dr Tim Littlewood, Executive Director of Science at the NHM said: “The natural world is in trouble and biodiversity is in decline. To protect our planet, we must understand the different organisms we share it with. The opportunity to DNA-sequence the world’s largest lichen collection at our cutting-edge labs is an innovative way to monitor nature and understand biodiversity and ecosystem function.” NHM, Museums Association
Jacques Schuhmacher, Senior Provenance Research Curator at the V&A and a member of NMDC's Spoliation Working Group, has written a comprehensive new guide to Nazi-era provenance research. Aiming to 'equip readers with the knowledge and strategies essential for confronting the shadow of the Nazi past in museum collections', Nazi-Era Provenance of Museum Collections: A research guide, published by UCL press, features an accessible historical overview and details key research methods and resources.
Gabriele Finaldi, Director of the National Gallery and Chair of NMDC's Spoliation Working Group said: ‘It is crucially important that we continue researching the history of ownership of our museum collections. Only then can historic wrongs begin to be rectified. By providing both a broad overview and individual case studies, Schuhmacher offers invaluable guidance on the complexities of Nazi-era provenance research’. UCL press
Also: in a new book Returning the Benin Bronzes: A Case Study of the Horniman’s restitution former director Nick Merriman reflects on the experience of returning objects from the Horniman Museum and current debates on restitution Palgrave Macmillan
British Museum launches competition for re-design as thefts become focus of a BBC programme and new collections centre opens
The British Museum has launched an international competition to find an architectural company to transform their Bloomsbury site. The master plan is looking to transform 7,500 square metres of gallery space, which equates to approximately a third of the museum galleries at the Bloomsbury site. Shortlisted teams will be a part of a public display at the end of the year. The competition is open for entries until Friday 21 June. British Museum (press release, pdf, 4pgs), Museums Association, Art Newspaper (£), Colander (Application portal)
On the 17 May the British Museum also issued an update on the recovery of the widely reported theft of objects from their collections. The Museum estimated that approximately 2,000 items in total were damaged or missing. In this latest update they announced the return of a further 268 missing and stolen objects, taking the total number of recovered items to 626. The Museum also confirmed it is currently working on new leads for around 100 objects. The theft has recently been the focus of a BBC documentary available on iPlayer and a 9 part podcast series. British Museum (press release, pdf, ), BBC (iPlayer), BBC (podcast), BBC (news article), Art Newspaper (£), Telegraph, Telegraph (opinion piece)
On the 7 June the British Museum opened their storage and research facility known as BM_ARC. The site in Berkshire houses 1.3 million objects and cost £64m. Art Newspaper (£), M+H Advisor
Science Museum Group begins work on an 1830s viaduct as Locomotion’s New Hall opens at Shildon
The Science and Industry Museum has begun a heritage restoration project at the Manchester museum, part of a £14.2m DCMS-backed restoration programme. The 1830s Viaduct and gantry connected to its Power Hall is due to complete by Spring 2025 to align with the Power Hall’s reopening. Science and Industry Museum, M+H Advisor (Viaduct) A brand new £8m collections building also opened at Locomotion, in Shildon, County Durham. Locomotion is a partnership between the Science Museum Group and Durham County Council, the new 47-vehicle building is part of a wider £95m masterplan project across Locomotion and the National Railway Museum in York. Locomotion, PA Media (YouTube video), Northern Echo
Union dispute resolved at National Museums Liverpool
The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) and National Museums Liverpool (NML) announced that an agreement had been reached to end industrial action which was planned to run across the summer. Laura Pye, Director of NML said: “We would like to thank our colleagues, visitors and members for their patience and support over the past few months. We all want our museums and galleries to be fully open and concluding this action means we can be sure that our visitors will be able to enjoy our core offer and experience some of the great new exhibitions we have on over the coming months.” PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote said: "After many months we are pleased to conclude this dispute, having secured a cost-of-living payment as well as tangible benefits which will have a long-term impact for our members." NML (press release), Museums Association
Also: The Art Newspaper reports that the Imperial War Museum wrote to PCS, First Division Association (FDA) and Prospect unions on 6 March stating the museum group will only deal with Prospect in future. Art Newspaper (£), PCS
Maria Balshaw, Director of Tate and NMDC Chair, is interviewed in the Observer about her upcoming book, Gathering of Strangers: Why Museums Matter,and speaks on the role of museums today including the politics of sponsorship. Guardian, Art Newspaper (£), Tate Publishing
The King has become Royal Patron of the RAF Museum. BBC
Black Country Living Museum expands to include Windrush generation in diversity drive. Telegraph
In an article on entry fees in Apollo magazine Tristram Hunt, Director of the V&A, writes that “At the V&A, the trustees and I have no desire to return to charging entrance fees”, but also highlights the reduction in government funding, diversifying audiences and the drive to self-generated income. Apollo
Also: Podcast: The Week in Art from the Art Newspaper – Should UK museums charge for entry? With Ben Lewis. Art Newspaper (from 00:28 to 17:10)
Images this month come from V&A Dundee and their 'Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk' exhibition which runs till 5 January 2025. Showing the kimono as an ever-evolving icon of fashion, the exhibition traces its evolution and influence from 17th century Japan to today's cutting-edge couture and street fashion across the world. A celebration of around 300 garments, accessories, paintings, prints, photographs and film clips, it is the final stop of the exhibition's international tour. V&A Dundee.
The V&A Dundee also welcomed 2 million visitors since opening in September 2018. M+H Advisor
The next General Election will be held on Thursday 4 July 2024. On the 5 June the Art Newspaper published a look where each of the UK political parties stand on culture.
The House of Commons Library have a useful page of resources and data, including an up to date list MPs who are standing down at the next election. House of Commons Library (resources), House of Commons (MPs standing down)
More in Common, founded in the wake of the tragic death of Jo Cox MP, have produced an interesting briefing note on the culture wars. ‘Backfire: Culture Wars and the General Election’ was published on 22 April 2024. More in Common commissioned 38 Degrees to explore what the public think about the culture wars. Key findings include that an election strategy based on culture wars is more likely to cause voters to ‘tune out’ of political debates, and culture wars don’t ‘land’ with the public because voters are more worried about day-to-day issues. There is also a look at what does and doesn’t constitute a culture war. More in Common (news article), More in Common (briefing paper, pdf, 38 pgs)
Impartiality guidance for charities in the run up to the General Election
The Charity Commission have produced some very useful guidance that outlines the rules for charities that want to support, or oppose, a change in government policy or the law. Gov.uk
Also: UK General Election, ‘End the culture of culture washing’: art world figures express hopes and fears for the forthcoming vote, Art Newspaper (£) Also: Sector bodies prepare to make the case for culture ahead of General Election, Museums Association
V&A Dundee - Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk. Credit: Michael McGurk for V&A Dundee.
Pressures on local authority funding and cost-of-living crisis dominates Art Fund Museum Directors Research
Art Fund's Museum Directors Research, which captured the responses of over 300 museum directors, aims to highlight the challenges that organisations are facing, identify current priorities and also explore future opportunities. The impact of the cost-of-living crisis on audiences and staff and the perilous and uncertain nature of organisations reliant on local authority funding are the most widely reported pressures facing directors in 2024, with two-thirds concerned about funding shortfalls. Even in the face of these challenges directors were able to point to imaginative and ambitious programming inviting new audiences through the doors and the power of collaboration in delivering for local communities. Other points of interest include:
49% have increased self-generated income in the last year but are still finding it is not enough for financial stability.
All directors report finding it difficult to access funding to improve income generating cafés, shops and hireable spaces.
Less than half of respondents are able to raise funds through corporate donations or sponsorship.
Building maintenance demands are reaching crisis levels particularly for local authority run buildings.
57% of respondents have seen visitor numbers increase over the last year.
40% are extending exhibitions to save money.
Whilst the extension of Museums and Galleries Exhibition Tax Relief has been welcomed, only 47% of eligible museums have claimed MGETR since 2021. The discrepancy comes from local authority run museums who need to set up a trading company in order to benefit. The report recommends adapting the scheme for local authority museums which would be most welcome. Art Fund (press article), Art Fund (Museum Directors Research, pdf, 43 pgs)
The latest figures published by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport show the total number of visits to DCMS-sponsored museums and galleries rose to 42.4m in 2023/24, a four year high. There were 10 million visits between January and March 2024, an increase of 11% compared to the same period last year. However, this is still 13% lower than the equivalent period pre-pandemic in 2019. Despite lower figures overall, some organisations have surpassed their 2019/2020 audience numbers, including The Royal Armouries and Sir John Soane's Museum. DCMS, Arts Professional
It was reported that the Arts Council England review headed up by Dame Mary Archer has been suspended because of the General Election. However, Shadow Culture Secretary Thangam Debbonaire said Labour remains committed to the review. Arts Professional (suspension), Arts Industry (suspension), Arts Professional (pre-election Debbonaire quotes from April)
Also: ACE Review - sector to get say on public body’s performance, Arts Professional. Also: ACE seeks to simplify ‘onerous’ reporting requirements by 2027, Arts Professional.
Funding cuts continue to be the focus in Wales and Scotland
The Institute for Conservation’s (ICON) Chief Executive Officer, Emma Jhita, wrote an open letter to Welsh Government outlining concerns on behalf of the conservation sector on the budget reductions for the heritage and culture sector. Whilst the Museums Association report that Scotland’s university museums face a 26% cut in funding. Museums that don’t have a Recognised collection face having the funding withdrawn entirely. ICON (Wales), Museums Association
The Welsh Government has launched a consultation setting out its vision for the culture sector between 2024 and 2030. The draft document focuses on three priorities:
Culture Brings Us Together
A Nation of Culture
Culture is Resilient and Sustainable
‘The Priorities For Culture: 2024-2030’ consultation is open for comments until Wednesday 4 September. Gov.Wales
‘On the Brink: Heritage in the cost of living crisis’ from the Heritage Alliance
The Heritage Alliance’s new insight report sets out the critical effects of the cost of living crisis on heritage following 18 months of data gathering. It provides a snapshot for the state of heritage in 2024 and case studies from across the sector. It evidences the value of culture to the UK economy and society and sets out a case for investment. Highlights include:
Heritage is facing an existential threat.
Heritage has particular vulnerabilities.
Heritage is a resourceful and resilient sector.
The report mentions the continuing issue of recruiting and retaining staff and volunteers and the difficult decisions faced by organisations who may have to cancel educational programmes or stop restoration projects due to funding shortfalls. It references the UK Heritage Pulse survey which stated that 37% of respondents had already reduced or cut education and community programmes. It also provides a useful overview of local authority cuts (pg 24). Heritage Alliance (news story), Heritage Alliance (report, pdf, 37 pgs)
Keeping the UK Creative Industries competitive is the focus of a new report
Published on the 16 May, a new report from Erskine Analysis in collaboration with the University of the Arts London (UAL) highlights the critical role of the UK’s creative industries as an economic power house but warns of the challenges that threaten the UK’s global leadership in the sector. UAL (news story), UAL (summary, pdf, 11 pgs), UAL (report, pdf, 112 pgs)
Creative PEC launches audiences and workforce report that looks at social inequalities
Part of the State of the Nations research series from the Creative Industries Policy & Evidence Centre, the ‘UK, Arts, Culture and Heritage: Audiences and Workforce’ report uses census data to provide a comprehensive analysis that sheds light on where progress has been made on inclusion. It also highlights where significant barriers and inequalities still exist. The latest data shows inequality persists in areas including workforce demographics, audience engagement and participation. There are also geographic inequalities in the distribution of job opportunities with arts, culture and heritage employment still dominated by London. Key findings include:
90% of people working across arts, culture and heritage are white, higher than the general workforce average at 85%.
60% of arts, culture and heritage workers grew up in a household where the main income earner was in a ‘managerial or professional’ role, the equivalent figure for the whole workforce is 43%.
Women comprise only 34% of ‘managers and directors’ in the creative industries.
Engagement in arts, culture and heritage in the UK is high, 90% of people in England had engaged in the arts in some way in the last 12 months with similar figures for the rest of the UK.
Board diversity tackled in new report from Historic England
Written by Dr Ambreen Shah, ‘Barriers and Enablers to Board Diversity in the Heritage Sector’ is a 23 page report from Historic England that outlines the findings of qualitative research study commissioned in in 2022. It outlines a number of barriers to board diversity, including –
A fixed view of heritage.
Perceptions of current boards.
Practicalities that exclude people such as meeting times and not paying travel expenses.
Lack of data about current board make-up.
It also provides a summary of the enablers that can help to diversify boards including –
Increased awareness of systematic racism.
Making governance more visible and appealing.
Using grant making levers.
The report is part of a whole suite of resources from Historic England including a section on why board diversity matters. Historic England (report, pdf, 23pgs), Historic England (general resources)
Museum Development Annual Museum Survey 2024 is now open
The MD Annual Museum Survey is used to gather evidence to demonstrate the social and economic importance of museums to funders and stakeholders. It also provides data to enable museums to benchmark their performance and support fundraising applications. The survey is open until 5pm on Tuesday 2 July. Annual Museum Survey
2024 Visitor Attraction Website Survey opens for submissions
Rubber Cheese have opened this year’s survey which looks at a number of current trends including investment in digital marketing, online conversion rates, use of personalisation and artificial intelligence. The survey takes around 30 minutes to complete and the final report will include a comprehensive analysis of the latest benchmarks and trends. The survey will close at the end of July. Rubber Cheese (information), Rubber Cheese (survey)
The winners of the 2024 Museums + Heritage Awards have been announced, across categories covering all aspects of museum work. The winners include:
Judges’ Special Recognition Award – Research Centre for Museums & Galleries, University of Leicester.
Permanent Exhibition of the Year – Manchester Museum - South Asia Gallery: a partnership with the British Museum.
Temporary or Touring Exhibition (budget over 80K) – Migration Museum for Heart of the Nation: Migration and the making of the NHS.
Temporary or Tour Exhibition (budget under 80K) – Leeds Museums and Galleries and the Leeds Hip Hop Historian Society A Hip Hop Journey: 50 years of Kulture.
Marketing and Communications Campaign of the Year – The Tank Museum – YouTube and the Creator Economy, with the National Portrait Gallery reopening campaign recognised in the Highly Commended category.
Visitor Welcome Award – Beamish – The Living Museum of the North.
Learning Programme of the Year – Horniman Museum and Gardens Secondary School Programme.
Sustainable Project of the Year – Joint Winners – Manchester Museum and Museum Development North West Roots and Branches And The Scottish Crannog Centre – 1000 Fingerprints 1000 voices.
The full list of winners are available on the M+H Awards website. M+H Awards
Europe’s heritage celebrated with the Europa Nostra Awards
The 2024 winners of the European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards named 26 winners across 18 countries spanning five categories which included – Conservation and Adaptive Reuse, Research, Education, Training and skills, Citizens Engagement and Awareness-Raising and Heritage Champions. Four projects were named UK winners in the Conservation and Adaptive Reuse category including Gideon Tapestries, Hardwick Hall, Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings, Shrewsbury, Westminster Hall, London and Marcus Binney for raising public awareness of Europe’s cultural heritage for over 50 years. Europa Nostra (award information), Europa Nostra (past winners)
Applications open for the Art Explora – Académie des beaux-arts European Award
Open to all non-profit European cultural organisations, the European award encourages new forms of audience engagement and participation in arts and culture, supporting innovative projects across all art forms, that can be shared, replicated and scaled across Europe. There are three awards of €50,000, a Special Jury Award of €20,000 and Audience Choice Award of €10,000. The deadline for applications is 6 September. Hospital Rooms were one of the winners in 2023. Art Explora (Award entry), Art Explora (previous winners and shortlisted projects)
Volunteers For Museum Learning Award opens for applications
The annual awards from the British Museum and Marsh Charitable Trust that celebrate the achievement and contribution of volunteers in museums, galleries and heritage sites all over the UK are now open. Winners of the 12 regional awards receive a £500 prize with the overall winner receiving an additional £2000 at an award ceremony at the British Museum in the autumn. The deadline for submissions is 5pm on Friday 12 July. British Museum
Sensation Museum chooses pilot museums to improve accessibility in museums
The Sensation Museum, putting access, inclusion and disability at the heart of museum practice, has selected the partner museums that will trial prototype processes and software. 10 museums and archives have been chosen including the BFI Archive, Roman Baths and Pump Room and Keswick Museum. The pilot will work on multisensory ways of working within the participating organisations. Sensational Museum
19 organisations become Museum Transformers with Museums Galleries Scotland (MGS)
Joining a two year programme, 19 heritage organisations will work to make changes to help all people access culture. Museum Transformers is part of Delivering Change, a collaborative effort between MGS and partnering museums, galleries and community groups to restructure organisations on anti-oppressive principles. Organisations that will become Museum Transformers include National Galleries Scotland, Paisley Museum and V&A Dundee. MGS, Museums Association
Also: The Sensational Museum has a host of resources on their website including a Glossary and Style Guide with useful terminology. Sensational MuseumAlso: Unlimited Accessible Marketing Guide (updated May 2024), AMA (Arts Marketing Association)
Cultural Learning Alliance (CLA) data shows decline and erosion of arts education
The CLA Report Card 2024 provides an overview of the current state of arts education in England and makes the case for a new policy approach. Headline data includes:
An overall decline of 42% in the number of Arts GCSE entries since 2010.
An overall 21% decrease in Arts entries at A-Level since 2010.
There are 14% fewer Arts teachers than in 2010.
Between 2011/12 and 2022/23 there has been a 21% fall in the teaching hours for arts subjects. CLA (website), CLA (report card, pdf, 40 pgs)
The British Museum announces partners for their 2024 youth-led programme
‘Where we are…’ the British Museum’s national programme for those aged 16-24 has announced the key partners for 2024 who are located in Doncaster and Wolverhampton. The programme, supported by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, selected arts and youth empowerment organisations that will work in partnership with their local authority arts and culture service. In Doncaster Right Up Our Street and City of Doncaster Culture Services were chosen and in Wolverhampton Reach and Unite Outreach and Empowerment (RUOE) and Wolverhampton Arts and Culture Services were selected. British Museum, FAD Magazine
Kids in Museums Family Café Standard accreditation opens
Applications have opened for the new Kids in Museums benchmark that recognises excellent café provision for families at museums and cultural institutions. Applications to join the third cohort of museum cafés across the UK close on 14 June. Costs for 1-2 cafés are £350 per café or £200 for small museums with under 50,000 visitors per year. Kids in Museums
A gold torc and gold bracelet dating back 3,000 years to the Bronze Age were stolen from Ely Museum after a break-in. The torc was valued at £220,000 when it was acquired by the museum in 2017. Both objects were originally found in East Cambridgeshire by metal detectorists. Museum Curator, Elie Hughes, said: “It is a huge blow after the incredible support from the community in acquiring the torc in 2017. As a culturally significant object, it cannot be replace. Our priority now is working with the police to locate the stolen objects.” BBC, Ely Standard, Museums Association
Also: Theft of Bronze Age gold artefacts from UK museum sparks fresh concerns about lack of government investment in sector, Art Newspaper (£)
British Library and Manchester Museum face protests
Two Just Stop Oil activists in their 80s were arrested at the British Library for attempting to break the case protecting the Magna Carta in the Treasures Gallery. The British Library confirmed the Magna Carta, one of two copies that the library holds, was undamaged. Whilst in Manchester on the 13 May red paint was daubed on the entrance and walls of Manchester Museum. University of Manchester Action for Palestine claimed responsibility on social media. Guardian (British Library), Museums Association (Manchester Museum), Manchester Evening News
Also: Top 10 ‘at risk’ sites named by Victorian Society, BBC
£24.2m distributed by ACE in latest Capital Investment Programme
Arts Council England named 67 museum and heritage recipients in the latest round of Capital Investment Programme funding. With grants ranging from £1000,000 to £750,000, the money can be used for building works and purchases of equipment and other assets to improve access, improve technological opportunities and reduce environmental impact. Successful applicants include –
Britten Pears Arts who received £750,000 to make its building accessible and environmentally sustainable.
Herefordshire Museums Libraires and Archives who will use £750,000 to fund a major extension and refurbishment.
Towner Art Gallery, they will use their £750,000 grant to fit out a new gallery building that will be located in the South Downs National Park. ACE, M+H Advisor
Transformation Capital Grants Programme 2025-26 for Wales
The Welsh Government has launched the Transformation Capital Grants Programme for museums, archives and libraries in Wales. There are some changes to the process for 2025-26 with a redesigned application form and earlier support from advisors. All interested parties are required to get advisor support for their potential project before 14 June. The final Expression of Interest submission deadline is 5 August 2024. Contact [email protected] for more details. Gov.wales
The Reimagine Programme from Art Fund is designed to inspire creativity and increase stability and resilience in the sector. Grants are available for up to £50,000 for projects that are creative or innovative, context-specific, impactful and engaging. This year the Art Fund will only accept applications from museums and galleries that are reliant on local authority support. Priority areas include a focus on environmental sustainability, new partnerships and underrepresent audiences. There is a webinar on 26 June for those who are interested in applying and applications close on 19 July. Art Fund (grant information), Art Fund (webinar) Also: You can also see a whole host of case studies that have previously received Reimagine Grants on the GEM website. GEM
Funding for creative digital projects from The Space
The 2024 commissioning round is open from The Space which offers up to £15,000 (maximum of £8,000 for audio projects) support for a creative digital project that might be a video or audio project, or an interactive or immersive experience. Up to 10 projects will be supported in the commissioning round with the deadline for applications by 5pm on Thursday 13 June. The Space
Catalyst, a network helping the UK social sector grow its digital skills, has pulled together a whole host of digital funding opportunities. You can search by application deadline and grant amount it also gives a breakdown of eligibility criteria. Catalyst
The Benefact Group’s Movement for Good programme for giving to charities offers 50 grants of £1,000 at each of their 6 draws across the year. There are three draws left for 2024 in July, September and December. There is also a special Arts and Culture Special Draw with 10 awards of £5,000 which will open between 7-11 October. Movement for Good
V&A Dundee - Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk. Credit: Michael McGurk for V&A Dundee.
222 projects are funded in the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme
The government has named the projects that will receive a share of £530m funding as part of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme Phase 3c. 189 organisations have been awarded grants for 222 heat decarbonisation and energy efficiency projects. National Museums Liverpool are to receive £1.2m, the RAF Museum have been allocated £2.4m and the V&A just over £750K, alongside a number of local authorities. Gov.uk (full list of grants)
The Design Museum is soon going to relaunch a peer support network for UK Museums looking to reduce the environmental impact of their exhibitions and displays. There have been versions of this group in the past, and they will be picking up the baton to bring colleagues together once more. The focus will be on sharing strategies, tips and best practice on how to reduce carbon emissions from museum activities. It will be open to UK Museums (funded by DCMS, through ACE as an NPO, or are a registered charity). To register an interest complete the form online. Museums 2030
Museums Association responds to Scotland’s National Adaption Plan
Following the decision from the Scottish government to u-turn on promises to cut emissions by 75% by 2030, the Museums Association has responded to Scotland’s National Adaption Plan 2024-2029. The joint response with Museums Galleries Scotland highlights the need for more cross-sector support and the need for robust culture-specific funding for climate and biodiversity work. Museums Association
The Welsh Government are looking for conservation and preservation case studies from museums, libraries and archives that showcase how conservation and collections care activity can either:
Demonstrate and reinforce the message of successful, sustainable manufacture, reuse and refurbishment of the past through remedial conservation / restoration; or
Manage / adapt to the specific threats to collections / historic assets from the changing climate to reduce negative impact
Selected case studies will be filmed and photographed to feature on the Climate Action Wales website and shared on social media. The deadline to submit a brief description of your case study is 5 July, please email [email protected]Climate Action Wales
Also: Why museums have been slow to act in the climate crisis: culture, leadership and perfectionism, Blooloop
ACE and University of London to develop AI best practice
Arts Council England and Goldsmiths University, part of the University of London, are to develop best practice guidance on using artificial intelligence in the cultural sector. Over the next 18 months Dr Oonagh Murphy, Senior Lecturer in Digital Culture and Society, will explore how AI can be ethically and responsibly integrated into ACE’s work and the work of the organisations it supports. The collaboration is supported by a fellowship award from BRAID (Bridging the Responsible AI Divide) funded by the UKRI Arts and Humanities Research Council. Goldsmiths, Arts Professional
In-person tickets for the Association of Independent Museums Conference at the Black Country Living Museum have sold out, but you are still able to join the conference online on the 13 and 14 June. Online tickets cost £32.50 +VAT. The online tickets gives access to both days (excluding workshops) and recordings post event. AIM (Conference programme), AIM (online tickets)
Museums and Galleries Exhibition Tax Relief webinar 24 June
Organised by Art Fund in collaboration with MAGNET (Museums and Galleries Exhibition Touring Network) and Going Places the webinar will explore how you can create touring exhibitions and take advantage of this tax relief scheme. There will be an opportunity to troubleshoot specific issues and produce a fact sheet to support finance teams. Questions can be submitted in advance. The webinar is on 24 June at 11am on Zoom. Sign Up
The Arts Marketing Association has published the online programme for their July conference in Brighton running from 3-5 July. There are 15 live streamed sessions which include ‘Breaking barriers – a guide to accessible marketing’, ‘AI and Data – What does it mean for leaders?’ and ‘Taking Care – ethical comms in the culture wars’. Online tickets cost from £85 +VAT for small organisations, freelance and between jobs members to £230 +VAT for non-members and £340 +VAT for member group rate for 2-4 people. Bookings close on 1 July. AMA
Prepare to Borrow online training in July and August with TEG
The Touring Exhibitions Group are running three online training sessions which guide participants through the complete lending and borrowing process when borrowing from UK public museums and galleries. The workshops run across two sessions from 9.30-12.30 on both days. The training has a nominal £10 fee with thanks to Art Fund support. The sessions include looking at loan agreements, the British Government Indemnity Scheme and potential sources of funding. The dates include 3 and 10 July, 23 and 30 July and 1-8 August. Eventbrite
GEM 2024 Conference secures keynote with David Olusoga
The GEM Conference – where advocacy meets impact, creativity ignites change and dynamism shapes the future, will be held on 11-13 September at M Shed in Bristol. There will be a keynote from historian, author and presenter David Olusoga on the value of learning history. Early Bird tickets are available until 17 June. The conference is hybrid with in-person and online options. Tickets cost from £135- £312 for GEM Members and £176-£535 for non-members. Online tickets with Early Bird discount range from £56 for GEM Members to £338 for All Staff institutional access. GEM (Conference), GEM (booking)
For those interested in taking their first steps in a leadership role or for new managers. The GEM Emerging Leaders Programme is run across 5 sessions beginning in September and finishing in November 2024. Sessions will cover – What leaders do and how they do it, Knowing the numbers, governance and driving proficiency, Persuasion and other people’s currencies and My Contribution and next steps. Costs for GEM members are £275 and £330 for non-members. Applications close on Tuesday 25 July. GEM
Country Durham will host the 2024 IAASF Conference on the protection of cultural venues
The International Arts and Antiquities Security Forum Conference will run from 16-17 October at Redworth Hall Hotel in County Durham with a theme of ‘Developing Resilience for the Protection of Cultural Venues’. The agenda includes sessions on environmental issues, security design approaches and risk management with a keynote from Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay. Early Bird tickets are available until 1 August costing £168. Full price tickets cost £210. Eventbrite (tickets)
British Library’s International Office marks 20 years of Endangered Archives Programme with a conference
‘Timeless archives, Timely Connections: Preserving Endangered Documentary Heritage and Inspiring Collaboration’ will be a hybrid conference hosted at the British Library from 31 October – 1 November. The international conference will bring together many institutions, individuals and activists in documentary heritage preservation and share case studies of cultural heritage protection against risks caused by climate change, conflict or war. Tickets for those attending in-person are £70 (with a percentage reserved for students at £35), online tickets are free. British Library (conference details), British Library (tickets)
NEMO the Network of European Museum Organisations invites proposals for their November conference entitled ‘Can we talk? Museums facing polarisation’. NEMO are looking for discussion and workshop contributions on the vital role museums can play in today’s challenged democracies. The event will be held in Romania from 10-12 November. The deadline for submissions is 19 June. NEMO
World Refugee Day is on 20 June, Refugee Week is an arts and culture festival celebrating the contributions, resilience and creativity of refugees. Coordinated by Counterpoint Arts you can add your events to their website. Refugee Week
Now in its sixth year the city-wide climate festival attracts 45,000 people every year. Events can be added to the London Climate Action website and include ‘Driving climate action through immersive media design’ at the London College of Communication on 24 June and ‘The importance of tackling racism in a climate crisis’ on 25 June. London Climate Action Week
The Museums Association reported the future of Buxton Museum is unclear after the museum was closed abruptly in June 2023. Derby County Council have confirmed the building is due to be sold off after dry rot was found to have caused structural issues. Campaigners are rallying to raise the importance of the museum to the local community and beyond. The council last year announced it was facing a £46m deficit and has cut or fully withdrawn funding to other heritage sites it manages. BBC, Museums Association, BBC (council cuts), Change.org (campaign)
Holocaust Memorial Bill Select Committee reports on plans for a memorial and learning centre
The Holocaust Memorial Bill Select Committee published a report on 26 April which explored the objections to and plans for a Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre next to Parliament at Victoria Tower Gardens. The plans have encountered issues around costs, permissions and allegations made against chosen architect David Adjaye. The Committee decided not to amend the bill but sited concerns around costs, security and the Committee’s limited scope. Parliament.UK (Select Committee Report), BBC, Guardian (Adjaye)
Also: Holocaust Centre North launches first digital archive, Museums Association
Reminder: Holocaust Memorial Day is 27 January 2025 next year’s theme is ‘For a Better Future’ and marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. HMD
UCL’s Petrie Museum closes for Summer essential works
The Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology, part of University College London, will be closed until 6 August for essential improvement works. Petrie Museum
Also: Trusts merge to support Wiltshire’s Young Gallery, BBC
SS Great Britain Trust has announced that Andrew Edwards will become their new Chief Executive from 3 June. Edwards was previously Chief Executive of The Sussex Archaeological Trust and Canterbury Cathedrals Trust where he held a leadership role in the development and delivery of the £35m Canterbury Journey Project. He is also a trustee at Tenby Museum & Art Gallery and The Climate Dimension Trust. SS Great Britain, Museums Association
Museums Association names Rachel Rogers as Vice-President
Rachel Rogers, Museums and Arts Manager for MonLife Heritage Museums since 2017, has been named as Vice-President at the Museums Association replacing Simon Brown. Rogers joined the MA board in 2021 and has been appointed for a three year term. Museums Association
ICOM, the International Council of Museums, has confirmed that interim Director General, Medea Ekner will take on the role permanently after a year in the interim post. Ekner has more than 25 years experience in Sweden and New Zealand and is the former Chair of ICOM Sweden. She is also on the board of the European Museum Forum. ICOM, Art Newspaper (£)
The National Coal Mining Museum in Wakefield has announced that Dr John Tanner has been appointed to the new role of Head of Masterplan and Capital Projects. Tanner led on the creation of Experience Barnsley Museum & Discovery Centre which was shortlisted for Museum of the Year in 2021. NCM
The Horniman Museum and Gardens has appointed Michelle Edward as their new Director, Finance and Corporate Services. Outgoing Finance Director Paula Thomas has dedicated 30 years service to the museum, 10 of which as Finance Director. Edward is a qualified Chartered Accountant with over 20 years experience. Horniman (press release, pdf, 2 pgs).
Dr Sophie Waring has joined the Old Operating Theatre Museum as Director replacing Sarah Corn. Waring joins from the Science Museum where she was Curator of Contemporary Science. OOT
