NatSCA is aiding that process to be more vocal about the importance of the collections and yes, we all need to play our part: http://naturalsciencecollections.wordpress.com/importance-of-natural-science-collections/
This is the NatSCA link to sources of funding and we would also welcome more sources: http://natsca.info/content/sources-funding-natural-science-collections
Miranda Lowe
-----Original Message-----
From: The Natural Science Collections Association discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Philip Hadland
Sent: 25 October 2012 16:52
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: MA Museums 2020
We certainly need to be more vocal about how our collections can play a role in museums going forward. Thanks for the heads up on the prism fund. I think I will apply.
-----Original Message-----
From: The Natural Science Collections Association discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of David Craven
Sent: 25 October 2012 16:32
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: MA Museums 2020
I do wonder when people say about funding. Kendal Museum recently acquired a new mineral colelction, and this was in aprt funded by PRISM, a science-focused funding pot that is regularly under-subscribed. There's also funding available through ACE, through HLF, and through the MA, all of which can be used to support Natural Science projects. That's without getting into more specific pots administered by specialist bodies like the Palaeontological Association.
There's also an argument put forward that managers and administrators don't understand natural history. Fine, I agree that's an issue. But if the on;y people who go for those roles are from an art history background (for example), then that'll produce a bias. More natural scientists have to aspire to senior roles, and to regional support roles, to ensure the subject gets a wider ausience, and is relevant to the agenda. It's easy to complain, less easy to put yourself forward (not aimed at anyone specific in the thread).
We seem to want people to understand the value of our colelctions, but what effort do we make to understand the agendas of funders, and therefore managers, to ensure we can tailor our argument? How many here have read the Arts Council's Five Goals document? If you haven't, you should, because it shapes the museum funding agenda, and there's plenty of scope to talk about natural science within there. We just have to make that effort.
We also have to support non-specialists in using their natural science collections, to ensure they remain active. There's no value in pulling up the drawbridge and just bemoaning the lack of specialists. More collections in use inw ays that meet national agendas will ultimately create demand for specialist support.
I'm not dismissing the issues raised by others, I fully agree with most of what has been said. But there is a flip-side to this, and that is that we have to d the work to make our colelctions relevant. We cannot just expect to be taken on our own merits. If other disciplines are better at this, we'll lose out. Developing strong advocacy skills, that are contextual, is a vital modern skill for any museum professional.
David Craven
________________________________________
From: The Natural Science Collections Association discussion list [[log in to unmask]] on behalf of Philip Hadland [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 25 October 2012 16:06
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: MA Museums 2020
Another issue seems to that many museums, some with very high credentials seem unable to acquire important scientific material through lack of funds. Also, the simple fact that storage facilities are often less than desirable in less well funded museums (and increasingly so as budgets are squeezed) makes more work for increasingly few collection managers, especially those overseeing mixed collections.
-----Original Message-----
From: The Natural Science Collections Association discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Gina Allnatt
Sent: 24 October 2012 12:30
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: MA Museums 2020
I attended one of these 2020 workshops and I completely agree with you. The consensus among many of the curators there was that collections, in particular natural sciences collections were being ignored. While it's not a bad idea to look towards the future, we are in crisis *now* and sweeping the problem under the carpet won't make things better.
On Wed, Oct 24, 2012 at 12:22 PM, Peter Howlett <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> I'm sure most of you will be aware of this
> http://www.museumsassociation.org/museums2020/about-museums2020.
> However, it appears that the loss of natural science curators in
> museums is not a priority issue for the MA at the moment and
> apparently it's up to NatSCA to make a fight of it! Personally I think
> that is an appalling stance for the MA to take, if they're not
> concerned about the loss of these posts what are they worried about?
> If what is on their web site under the 2020 vision section is anything
> to go by it appears social history is the primary reason for museums
> to exist and there is more than one voice implying that collections should be an optional extra too.
>
> The MA are hosting a webchat tomorrow
> http://www.museumsassociation.org/museums2020/25102012-museums2020-q-a
> nd-a-collections-impact-webchat it might well be worth trying to take
> part or at least getting some more science related posts into the
> system - as of last week there were hardly any to be found on any of
> the web pages which showed responses to various questions raised.
>
> When the body which has set itself up as the promoter of museums and
> best practice within them takes no interest in science and there is a
> general lack of interest taken in natural history by senior
> managers/funding agencies the future for science in museums is looking rather bleak!
>
> Peter
>
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