Hi Annette and Mads

Yes, shame.  It seems a definite factor for Local Authority venues to
provide hardcore statistics and PI, but  it sounds too black and white.  For
us University venues, we do of course, have to provide justifications and
visitor numbers but these can be presented in a much broader format - I
suppose being an institution for education and research, we can acknowledge
this easier.  However,  here local Yorkshire Authority museums are saying
what you're saying, and it does sound like perhaps the PI strategy needs a
restructure or wider remit to move towards the future and the newer,
contemporary needs of schools and museum access. Keep doing what you're
doing, and let it be known!

Good luck!

Sonja

-----Original Message-----
From: Mads Sarley Pontin [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 21 October 2003 12:46
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Figures 2002/3 v 2003/4


Dear Sonja,

I must say that our expanded loans service is proving extremely  popular.
In January our past exhibtions will also be avaliable for loan by schools.

As the workshop service we provide is free and diverse using freelancers
from a wide range of fields and companies in exchange for council 'bums on
seats' numbers we will support schools as much as possible.

Our workshops are themed to our displays and collection- temp and permenant,
or to the buildings' original function.   We are not in a possition to run
an extentive outreach programme at present.

I just came off the phone from speaking to a school who have just cancelled
3 sessions.   They finally admitted that due to the RA paperwork and the
preparitory journey/visit need to complete it, they now only travel to sites
by coach, this is a schools walking distance to Stratford East Tube and
central bus station (all London schools can apply for free use of publuic
transport for each trip).   The cost of this already  has ment that they are
now cancelling the rest of this term's trips!

As a council museum I can pass this back to the LEA at least.

Best wishes

Mads




Mads Sarley Pontin
Education & Outreach
Newham Heritage Service
The Old Dispensary
30 Romford Road
Stratford
London E15 4BZ

tel: 020 8430 6393
mobile: 07771 978375
fax: 020 8430 6392