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CyMAL: Museums Archives and Libraries Wales Museums Current Awareness Service - Bulletin 80 Information about the Museums Current Awareness Service can be found on CyMAL's pages of the Welsh Assembly website. http://www.wales.gov.uk/cymal WELSH ASSEMBLY GOVERNMENT - CYMAL New Equality Bulletin from CyMAL CyMAL's first equality bulletin is now available in the new Access, Equality and Diversity section of the CyMAL website. This first bulletin, timed to link in with the 2009 bicentenary of the birth of Louis Braille focuses on accessible information and communication. It includes information and guidance, which will be of value across the sector, as well as features which relate specifically to the 3 domains. We hope to publish the second bulletin in late 2009. The second bulletin will include initial information on the implications of the UK Government's Equality Bill and the UK ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities If you don't have internet access, please request a hard copy by contacting CyMAL. Please specify whether you would like the printed copy in Welsh, English or any alternative format. http://www.wales.gov.uk/cymal Supporting Outdoor Learning In The Foundation Phase 1 September 2009, Court Colman Manor Bridgend 3 September 2009, Alyn Waters Country Park, Wrexham This is an opportunity for museums, archives and libraries to see how they can develop whatever outdoor spaces are available to them to support foundation phase learning activities. It presents an opportunity to network and build links not only with practitioners in this field, but also with exhibitors who have an interest in supporting the delivery of the Foundation Phase. Both events are aimed at practitioners in libraries, museums and archives in Wales who are involved, or would like to be involved, in the provision of learning experiences to children within the Foundation Phase age range (3-7 yrs). Aims: -To illustrate in a practical way how the outdoor environment - whatever space or area that may consist of - can be utilised to deliver the Foundation Phase. - To provide examples of how a project such as "Words in the Woods" can support delivery of the seven Areas of Learning within the Foundation Phase Framework. - To develop and strengthen links at both local and national level through a "market place" of exhibition stands These workshops are jointly organised by CyMAL: Museums, Archives and Libraries Wales and DCELLS (Department for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills). Attendance is free for all delegates. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. As a substantial portion of this day will be held outdoors, delegates are advised to come suitably attired. To book your place please contact Helen Lyall Williams on [log in to unmask] or 01970 610244. Museum Accreditation Development Day - Newtown, 7 July 2009 MLA and CyMAL will co-host a discussion event on the Development of the Museum Accreditation scheme at the Welsh Assembly Government Office, Ladywell House, Newtown, Powys on Tuesday 7 July 2009. There will be limited availablility of spaces, so if you are interested in having an input into the review of the scheme, please e-mail your details to [log in to unmask] The discussion will be based around replies to a consultation questionnaire, which goes live on 10 June on the MLA website. Please take the time to respond to this questionnaire. http://www.mla.gov.uk/what/raising_standards/accreditation/Developing_accreditation Small grants for conferences Small grants are available from CyMAL to attend conferences, such as the Museums Association conference. Grants are awarded on a first-come, first served basis. To find out more information, and to download the application form, visit the CyMAL website and select "Grants 2009-10" on the left hand menu. http://www.wales.gov.uk/cymal WELSH ASSEMBLY GOVERNMENT Heritage Minister presents culture Legislative Competence Order to National Assembly Heritage Minister Alun Ffred Jones has presented the proposed Legislative Competence Order on culture to the National Assembly. The proposed LCO will provide the competence to support the Welsh Assembly Government's One Wales commitment to improve the delivery by local authorities of high quality cultural experiences across the whole of Wales. The Heritage Minister said: "Culture plays a crucial role in our everyday lives. It is a fundamental element in the creation of our national identity but it also lies at the heart of our efforts to attract people to come and work, learn, visit or invest in Wales. As such, the Welsh Assembly Government wants to widen access to and participation in the full range of arts, culture, sport and recreational services and activities. The proposed LCO is concerned solely with the functions of local authorities. Whilst we want to work with local authorities to provide cultural services and activities through their existing powers, we also want to ensure that the National Assembly has the ability to place a duty on local authorities to provide the majority of such services and activities. This will ensure a level playing field for everyone as we seek to develop these activities together." http://tinyurl.com/n8odmg MUSEUMS LIBRARIES AND ARCHIVES COUNCIL Developing Accreditation The Accreditation Scheme is now more than half way through its planned five year rollout timetable, with a projected end point of September 2010. We now have over 1100 Fully Accredited Museums in the UK, with under 500 remaining Registered under Phase 2. The current scheme, launched in 2004, is now in need of updating to ensure it remains helpful, relevant and appropriate. MLA is committed as part of this project to ensure that bureaucracy is reduced, museums remain supported, and that your views are taken into account through a full process of consultation. http://www.mla.gov.uk/what/raising_standards/accreditation/Developing_accreditation New guide promotes learning through culture for young people A new guide for everyone involved in providing extended and cultural services for children and young people has been published. It aims to encourage partnerships to flourish between schools, extended services and arts and cultural organisations that will benefit children, young people and families. 'Culture for All' produced by the MLA, Arts Council England and the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) provides an overview of how children's services and cultural organisations such as museums, libraries and archives can work together as partners and as joint providers. Integrating culture and extended services not only helps to broaden the range and depth of opportunities available for children and young people but improves their outcomes. http://www.mla.gov.uk/news_and_views/press/releases/2009/Culture_for_all Museums in China Networking Event and Tour As part of the China-UK: Connections through Culture programme, the British Council will be running a networking event and study tour in China from 12-21 October 2009 and is inviting applications from museums in the UK. The networking event and tour will provide UK museum professionals with a unique opportunity to make contact and develop partnerships with leading national and regional museums in China. It has the support of the Chinese State Administration of Cultural Heritage, part of the Ministry of Culture. Applicants will need to demonstrate an interest in working in China, but will not need to have existing contacts. The group will be restricted to ten delegates, so unfortunately applications are limited to one per museum. Early application is advised and some applications may be unsuccessful. For an application form please email Jane Weeks, Museums and Heritage Adviser, the British Council [log in to unmask] The deadline for applications is Friday 26 June 2009. DEPARTMENT FOR CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT Ben Bradshaw appointed culture secretary Former health minister Ben Bradshaw has replaced Andy Burnham as culture secretary in a government reshuffle announced on Friday last week. Bradshaw is MP for Exeter and a former BBC journalist. Bradshaw has been MP for Exter since 1997. Prior to entering Parliament, he worked as a newspaper and radio journalist, and was the BBC's Berlin correspondent in 1989, witnessing the fall of the Berlin Wall. As well as health minister, he has been a minister in the Foreign Office, was deputy leader of the House of Commons, and environment minister. Barbara Follett remains minister for culture, creative industries and tourism. http://tinyurl.com/lqz75l MUSEUMS ASSOCIATION Could you shape the Museums Association's policy? There are ten vacancies on the MA council for 2009, all for a period of three years, with the exception of the Institutional vice-president which is for two years. Could you help to shape the MA's policy? The Museums Association (MA) needs forward-thinking individuals to stand for election to its governing council. Council is responsible for overseeing the affairs of the MA and provides guidance and direction to its officers. This is an opportunity to help shape the future policy of the nation's fastest growing museum and gallery organisation. The MA would encourage anyone with this kind of interest, at whatever level, to join in the election process and help put something back into the profession. http://tinyurl.com/nh7bog Jacobs urges MA members to make use of Gift Aid Rebecca Jacobs, the MA's museum development officer, is urging museums to make use of Gift Aid, as Government estimates failure to make proper use of the incentive is losing the sector in the region of £20m a year. At a meeting on Friday 29 May to discuss Gift Aid, representatives from the Association of Independent Museums, the National Museum Directors Conference and the Museums Association were told by officials from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport that HM Treasury will not consider introducing any further tax breaks to encourage philanthropy until full use is made of the Gift Aid scheme. HM Treasury is currently carrying out research into Gift Aid with a view to announcing changes in the November pre-budget report, looking to simplify and improve it. Gift Aid will also be discussed at the Government's summit on corporate giving and philanthropy in October. http://www.museumsassociation.org/28112 TOURISM Museums and Tourism Tourism is an important part of the UK economy and is the 5th largest industry in the UK. Museums are drivers of British tourism and play a significant role in attracting visitors and in building the British brand. Research shows that cultural activities, including the many free museums and galleries, attract international visitors to the UK and are seen as some of Britain's core strengths. Statistics testify to museums' success in attracting visitors: eight of the top ten UK visitor attractions in 2008 were museums and galleries and three UK museums were in the top ten most visited international museums in 2007. Museums are major beneficiaries of income from visitors, who contribute directly to the tourism economy. Studies calculate that in 2006 overseas visitors to major UK museums and galleries spent £350 million as a result of their visit and UK visitors, who spend considerably less per visit, were estimated to have spent £245 million in 2004. Visitor surveys show that the vast majority of visitors have a positive experience in major museums. http://tinyurl.com/kvhn25 AMGUEDDFA CYMRU - NATIONAL MUSEUM WALES Parc Prison helps Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales celebrate 60 years of sharing Museum collections From Victorian toys and Roman food to art works by Betty Blandino and Eirian Short, young people from across Wales have been able to enjoy the National Museum's collections in their own environments for the past 60 years. 2009 marks the 60th Anniversary of Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales' Outreach Collection - the first national Museum loan service of its kind in the World. And a new display by young offenders at HMP & YOI Parc, Bridgend, which went on display this week (2 June 2009) at National Museum Cardiff demonstrates how those who aren't able to visit the Museum can still benefit from the nation's treasures. http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/news/?article_id=521 COLLECTIONS Significance - A guide to assessing the significance of collections http://significance.collectionscouncil.com.au/ The Care of Collections Group (CCG) exists to draw together and share the diverse knowledge and skills that are needed to address the issues and activities relating to the care of collections. http://www.icon.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=21&Itemid= CONSERVATION Advocacy Task Force Update The proposal submitted by Icon's Advocacy Task Force for a session at the Museums Association Annual Conference and Exhibition - to be held this year at the QEII Conference Centre, Westminster, 5th-7th October - has been accepted. The session is called 'Caring for the public realm' after the title of the Demos pamphlet. The session will take place on Monday 5th October, 12.00-13.15. It is aimed at a wide range of staff in heritage institutions, including all who work on public programming at senior management level. Please help to publicise this event to your colleagues. Further information can be found on our website. (Source: ICON e-bulletin ICONNECT MAY 2009) http://tinyurl.com/lju5vw EVENTS Come to Collect! - London, 26th June 2009 Collect: The Collections Management Exhibition is a free one-day trade fair highlighting the best in current practice, services and technologies for Collections Management. The day will give you the chance to meet and talk with some of the sector's leading suppliers, including Collections Management software vendors, providers of legal services and other information brokers. It will also be an opportunity to meet fellow museum, library and archive professionals and discuss current issues in Collections Management. http://www.collectionslink.org.uk/collect Shaping the Heritage Science Community - Birmingham, 22-23 June 2009 An exciting two-day symposium featuring keynote speakers, contributions from the 13 Science and Heritage Programme research clusters, discussions and networking opportunities. An evening reception will be held at Soho House and there will also be the opportunity to visit the exhibition Matthew Boulton: Selling What all the World Desires at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery Gas Hall. http://www.heritagescience.ac.uk/index.php?section=63 Wales Smithsonian Cymru 2009 Wales will be the featured nation at the 2009 Smithsonian Folklife Festival on the National Mall in Washington, from 24-28 June and 1-5 July. The festival is an annual cultural festival run by the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, a research and educational unit of the Smithsonian Institution. The festival celebrates the cultural traditions of communities from across the United States and from around the world. http://www.wales.com/en/content/cms/English/Smithsonian/Smithsonian.aspx TRAINING AND CONFERENCES Can't come. Don't come. Won't come - Leicester, 2-3 July 2009 Visitor Studies with underrepresented, excluded and hard to reach audiences: summer school in collaboration with the Department of Museum Studies, University of Leicester VSG Members - £75 per day or £130 for both days, concession - £55 per day or £90 for both days Non-members - £85 per day or £150 for both days, concession - £65 per day or £110 for both days http://www.visitors.org.uk/node/271 Hearing Voice in Oral History - Glasgow, 3-4 July 2009 The nature of voice as evidence, hearing voice in community, and voice in the age of new technology 2009 Oral History Society Annual Conference http://www.strath.ac.uk/history/research/sohc/oralhistorysocietyconference2009/ Diary dates: UK-wide online content workshops The Strategic Content Alliance is delighted to announce a series of workshops across the UK during June and July aimed at senior policy makers and practitioners involved in the delivery of online content and services over the internet. http://sca.jiscinvolve.org/2009/04/24/diary-dates-uk-wide-online-content-workshops/ Museums And Biographies - London, 11-12 September 2009 The 2009 MGHG conference will be held at the National Gallery in London, co-organised by the International Centre for Cultural and Heritage Studies at Newcastle University. http://www.mghg.org/events WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT Meeting the Challenge Development Programme Meeting the Challenge: Development Programme (MtC) provides the opportunity for the creative and cultural sectors to design, lead and sustain tailored leadership development activity. MtC encourages at least 3 organisations from the creative and cultural sectors to work together in self-selected partnerships. The partnerships will work together to determine their leadership learning through a chosen mixture of formal and informal learning methodologies. Partnerships are eligible to apply for between £25,000 and £100,000. http://www.culturalleadership.org.uk/meetingthechallenge FUNDING AND AWARDS Association for Industrial Archaeology - Restoration Grants The AIA is pleased to announce that it can now make available Restoration Grants for range of historic and industrial archaeology purposes. These Grants are made available thanks to a generous donation. Criteria for awarding the grants are: - the grant is for the restoration of historically, technically, architecturally, and/or archaeologically important industrial buildings, structures, machinery, vehicles and vessels within the UK; - the heritage asset must be covered by a Conservation Policy and/or Statement; - the heritage asset must be sustainably managed, displayed and interpreted for the public; - the grant must not result in another body reducing its revenue funding; - the grant will be for up to £15,000; - the grant is to be used as partnership funding, the applicant being in the process of or having already raised matching funding from their own resources, fund raising, an HLF, PRISM or other grant award; - the grant is for new projects or ones which have begun but need further funding for completion; - the grant is for capital funding only, not on-going revenue funding. http://www.industrial-archaeology.org.uk/arestore.htm WCVA launches new feature on its funding website WCVA has launched a new online resource which will help Wales' 30,000 voluntary groups access up-to-date information on funding sources and options to keep achieving - and hopefully exceeding - their fundraising targets. The funding portal provides access to a searchable database of over 4,000 UK funding opportunities, advice and support on raising funds and tips on how to diversify funding. The funding portal is a brand new resource for third sector organisations in Wales and has been funded by the Welsh Assembly Government. http://tinyurl.com/nyypxg E.ON Sustainable Energy Fund At E.ON, we recognise the important role that sustainability and the reduction of carbon emissions has to play in the future development of energy and also that, as a charity or community organisation, getting started in this area can be really confusing.That is why we have developed the E.ON Sustainable Energy Fund. Launched in April 2009 as part of our further commitment to our community, E.ON Sustainable Energy Fund supports the development of efficient and sustainable energy measures for community organisations. http://www.eon-uk.com/about/sustainableenergyfund.aspx Big Lottery Fund - Secret Millionaire Fund The Big Lottery Fund has provided £1 million to support a new scheme built upon the TV programme The Secret Millionaire. The eligibility rules for funding are the same as Awards for All, which as you know vary from country to country. Grants can be for up to £5,000 in Wales and the scheme will run until December 2009. Applications can be made directly by organisations or you can nominate a local organisation that will then get a call from the Big Lottery Fund to check their eligibility for support. Closing date: Applications dealt with as received. It takes about eight weeks for decisions to be made. The scheme will close on 21 December 2009. http://secretmillionaire.channel4.com/nominate/index.shtml CHARITIES AND VOLUNTEERS Reporting Serious Incidents The Charity Commission has revised its guidance for trustees on reporting serious incidents http://www.charitycommission.gov.uk/investigations/rsi.asp PUBLICATIONS AND RESEARCH Volunteering in Museums Research Results Published The research, commissioned by Museums Galleries Scotland not only looked at the role and impact of volunteers in museums and galleries but also the impacts of volunteering on workforce development, the volunteers themselves and on communities. The report also gained a useful insight into the profile of volunteers within museums and galleries and their management practices. Some key findings from the report are: - 90% of respondent museums have volunteer staff and nearly a quarter are entirely run by volunteers - Volunteers significantly increase the organisation's capacity. - The greatest benefit of volunteering for volunteers is a sense of achieving something useful. This is of particular importance for older volunteers. http://tinyurl.com/lvsd6v Encouraging partnerships to flourish between schools, extended services and arts and cultural organisations. A new guide for everyone involved in providing extended and cultural services for children and young people is published today. It aims to encourage partnerships to flourish between schools, extended services and arts and cultural organisations that will benefit children, young people and families. http://www.mla.gov.uk/news_and_views/press/releases/2009/Culture_for_all RESOURCES The Social Media Exchange is live and interactive! This site brings together lots of online content about the Social Media Exchange - check out the blogs, photos, videos and tweets we have brought together below! http://socialmediaexchange.org.uk/ Assessing organisational strengths and weaknesses A new online self-assessment tool, produced by the Centre for Charity Effectiveness at Cass Business School, and funded by Capacitybuilders is now available. It aims to help you determine your organisation's strengths and weaknesses in eight key areas including governance, finance and people. http://www.knowhownonprofit.org/tools-for-success/self_assessment Introduction to Social Impact Measurement The e-book An Introduction to Social Impact Measurement: A Practical Approach has been published by The Tool Factory and can be downloaded from their web site to encourage more organisations to start measuring their own social impact. http://www.thetoolfactory.com/simebook.htm Are you demonstrating your impact? Outcome-focused commissioning and monitoring are concepts that very much run through recent policy and regulatory developments. Are you, as a provider or commissioner, collecting the right information to demonstrate the impact of your services? Visit NCVO's new Public Service Delivery Network pages on Outcome Measurement Tools to find out about some of the existing tools and methodologies to measure and demonstrate impact. http://www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/publicservicedelivery/index.asp?id=13336 SITUATIONS VACANT Development Officer - Syr Henry Jones Museum Temporary until end of March 2010, salary up to £19,000 pro rata An opportunity now exists for an enthusiastic and innovative person to implement this historic museum's development plan. You must be educated to degree standard in a relevant subject and have experience of working in a museum or heritage attraction. The ability to speak English and Welsh is essential. Please contact Mr John E Jones on 01492 650252 or 07717 543433 Closing Date: June 30th Supported by Conwy County Borough Council NEWS - WALES Shipwreck's 'Prince Charlie' link Divers say they have found the wreck of a vessel which may have been sent to relieve Bonnie Prince Charlie after his 1746 defeat at the battle of Culloden. The team says artefacts recovered from the ship, found off the Anglesey coast, suggest it may have been bringing supplies from the King of France. The Prince - Charles Edward Stuart - was at the time in hiding after the failure of the Jacobite Rebellion. Divers will fully excavate the wreck to determine its historical significance. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8067584.stm NEWS - UK Hunt for all-time top invention Celebrities including Top Gear's James May have launched the Science Museum's hunt to find the most important scientific breakthroughs in history. The campaign is being held to mark the 100th anniversary of the museum in Exhibition Road, South Kensington. The shortlist includes the V2 rocket engine, Model T Ford motor car and first model of DNA. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/8092081.stm NEWS - INTERNATIONAL Paris theft of $11m Picasso works A sketchbook of some 32 drawings by Pablo Picasso worth about 8m euros ($11m; £6.8m) has been stolen from a museum in Paris, police have said. The theft from the Picasso Museum was discovered on Tuesday afternoon but the exact time and circumstances have yet to be determined. Initial investigations showed the sketchbook was held in an unlocked display case on the first floor. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8091679.stm Elizabeth Bennett & Carol Whittaker Current Awareness Service Inclusion of third party information in the Museums Current Awareness Service does not constitute an endorsement by CyMAL. CyMAL takes no responsibility for the quality of third party events, products or services featured in this Newsletter. Whilst every care is taken to provide accurate information, neither CyMAL nor the editor undertakes any liability for any error or omission. If you know anyone who would like to be added to the circulation list, or would like a 'hard copy' of the main mailing, or if you don't have access to the internet and need prints from the sites listed - please contact Carol Whittaker. People who currently receive hard copies will continue to do so. Welsh and English versions of the bulletin will remain separate in response to requests from readers. --- Elizabeth Bennett Swyddog Cyngor a Chefnogaeth - Advice and Support Officer CyMAL: Amgueddfeydd Archifau a Llyfrgelloedd Cymru - CyMAL: Museums Archives and Libraries Wales Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru - Welsh Assembly Government Uned 10, Parc Gwyddoniaeth, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3AH. Unit 10, Science Park, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3AH. Ffon/Tel: 01970 610235 Ffacs/Fax: 01970 610223 Rhif GTN/GTN No: 7 2846 0235 e-bost/e-mail: [log in to unmask] The original of this email was scanned for viruses by the Government Secure Intranet virus scanning service supplied by Cable&Wireless in partnership with MessageLabs. (CCTM Certificate Number 2006/04/0007.) On leaving the GSi this email was certified virus free. Communications via the GSi may be automatically logged, monitored and/or recorded for legal purposes. Cafodd fersiwn gwreiddiol y neges e-bost hon ei sganio gan wasanaeth gwrthfeirysau Mewnrwyd Ddiogel y Llywodraeth (GSI) a ddarparwyd gan Cable&Wireless mewn partneriaeth â MessageLabs. (Rhif Tystysgrif CCTM 2006/04/0007). Wrth adael y GSI nid oedd unrhyw feirws yn gysylltiedig â’r neges hon. Mae’n ddigon posibl y bydd unrhyw ohebiaeth drwy’r GSI yn cael ei logio, ei monitro a/neu ei chofnodi yn awtomatig am resymau cyfreithiol.