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CyMAL: Museums Archives and Libraries Wales
Museums Current Awareness Service - Bulletin 83
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
Interpretation for Museums in the 21st Century - Cardiff, 08.09.09
A one-day workshop to review interpretive basics and explore new approaches to planning, designing and presenting interpretive programmes and services to help us face the challenges of a changing economy and sustainability for interpretive sites and organisations. This workshop will provide an overview of new interpretive theories and practices. It will help museum interpretive/learning staff make more powerful connections between the facilities stories and subjects and their visitors.
Delegates will
- receive a brief review of interpretation basics
- look at new approaches to planning, designing and presenting interpretive programmes and services to help them face the challenges of a changing economy and sustainability for interpretive sites and organisations
Delegates will learn about such topics as "mass customisation”, "outcome based planning," and new marketing strategies for changing market groups. Places for this workshop are limited please ensure that you book your place early.
http://tinyurl.com/cymalprofessionaldevelopment
WELSH ASSEMBLY GOVERNMENT
Heritage Minister shares his ambition for the Historic Environment in Wales
At the National Eisteddfod in Bala, the Heritage Minister Alun Ffred Jones outlined his ambition for the Historic Environment in Wales. He offered an insight into his Strategic Statement and Action Plan for the sector, which will be announced during plenary in September. In setting the context for his ambitions, the Minister said that the notion of ‘Bro’, or an area which a person was brought up or lives in, is central to the way that people relate to the Historic Environment, people relate to historic sites that have a personal or local significance for them.
http://wales.gov.uk/news/latest/090806historicenvironment/?lang=en
FEDERATION OF MUSEUMS AND ART GALLERIES IN WALES
A Museum Strategy for Wales 2010-2013
The Federation will be holding the following consultation meetings to discuss the Federation’s response to the Welsh Assembly Government’s ‘A Museum Strategy for Wales 2010-2013’. Half days unless noted.
Monday 14th September 2 pm - Carmarthenshire County Museum, Abergwili.
Monday 21st September 10 30am - Old Gaol, Ruthin
Wednesday 23rd September 10 30am -Gwynedd Museum and Art Gallery, Bangor
Thursday 24th September 11am - Cynon Valley Museum Aberdare (all day meeting)
Wednesday 30th September 10.30am - Powysland Museum, Welshpool.
Please let John Marjoram, Development Officer, know if you are attending. ([log in to unmask] ) It would be helpful to ensure a good cross section of the profession in Wales attends so please tell your colleagues.
MUSEUMS LIBRARIES AND ARCHIVES COUNCIL
Quick and easy culture stats for local government
A new online reporting and analysis tool will provide baseline data on library, museum and gallery use and participation. The Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA), Arts Council England and Sport England has announced the re-launch of the Active People Diagnostic (APD). The online reporting and analysis tool provides quick and easy access to Active People Survey results allowing local authorities to investigate public participation and non-participation in culture and sports in their local areas.
http://www.mla.gov.uk/news_and_views/press/releases/2009/APD
Renaissance Review
An independent review has endorsed Renaissance as the most important intervention in English non-national museums since the Museums Act of 1845. The £300m invested has helped transform the regional museum sector and boost visitor numbers. The work of the Review has paved the way for MLA’s National Action Plan for Museums, which maps out a future where excellent regional and national museums work together to put people at the heart of museums, and museums at the heart of communities
Culture guide for schools
New guidance which will help local authorities understand and harness the powerful role that culture can play in transforming education has been published by Partnerships for Schools (PfS). The guidance document is aimed at local authorities, schools and cultural partners has been developed in partnership with the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council, Arts Council England and the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust. Building on existing practice in schools and local authorities the cultural guidance will help all those involved in planning for, and delivering, BSF projects to ensure that there is a place for the arts and culture within the Building Schools for the Future scheme.
Their Past Your Future projects preserved in new digital archive
Their Past Your Future, the UK-wide learning programme exploring the impact and ongoing legacy of 20th century conflict on people in the UK, has launched a new website of digitised resources.
http://www.tpyfdigitalarchive.org.uk/
MUSEUMS ASSOCIATION
NCCL director calls for debate on museum learning
Katy Archer, director of the National Centre for Citizenship and the Law, and theme curator at the Museums Association Conference and Exhibition, said she thought a new case needed to be made for museum learning. Archer's conference theme, titled The Learning Age, will look at where museums learning is now, where we want it to be in the future, and how learning has changed.
http://www.museumsassociation.org/29912
COLLECTIONS
Holocaust (Return of Cultural Objects) Bill
Lord Janner of Braunstone introduced the Holocaust (Return of Cultural Objects) Bill in the second reading debate in the House of Lords on 10 July. The Bill received widespread support. It will now be examined in detail by a Lords Committee on 19 October.
http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2008-09/holocauststolenartrestitution.html
National Museums Directors Conference adopts Guiding Principles to reduce carbon footprint
The National Museums Directors Conference (NMDC) members have adopted new guidelines for environmental conditions in a major move towards a less energy-intensive approach to collections care. NMDC recognises that museums need to approach the long-term care of collections in a way that does not require excessive use of energy. NMDC members have committed to review relevant policy and practice - particularly in relation to loan requirements, storage and display conditions, building design and air conditioning systems - with a view to reducing carbon footprints.
The interim guidelines for environmental conditions were developed in consultation with UK conservators, ICON and the National Trust among others. They were accepted by the European Bizot Group of major museums at their May 2009 meeting and will be taken to the international Bizot Group meeting in October. For more information visit: http://www.nationalmuseums.org.uk/
CONSERVATION
The Civic Trust for Wales Awards
Following the demise of the English Civic Trust, The Civic Trust for Wales is working with partners to look at the implementation of a new Civic Trust for Wales Award Scheme. The Civic Trust for Wales is exploring with the Royal Society of Architects in Wales (constituted as the regional organisation of the RIBA in Wales) and the government’s Design Commission for Wales a scheme that would enable both built environment professionals (or their clients) and community and voluntary sector groups to make nominations for awards. The intention would be to recognise good contextual design across a wide variety of project types and scales, encompassing new build, and projects which achieve the successful regeneration and conservation of older buildings. http://www.civictrustwales.org/
IHBC ‘Conservation & Economics’ Day - Cardiff, 24 September
The Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC), the key professional body for built and historic environment conservation specialists, has opened booking for a major conference on ‘Conservation: Making the Economic Argument’. It will take place in Cardiff on 24 September with Minister for Heritage, Alun Ffred Jones, Welsh Assembly Government joined by specialists from inside and outside Wales, exploring the substantial economic case for conservation
DOCUMENTATION, DIGITISATION AND ICT
Intellectual Property Right and Licensing workshops
The Strategic Content Alliance is delighted to announce a series of free IPR (Intellectual Property Right) and Licensing workshops over the Autumn in London, aimed at policy makers and practitioners involved in the delivery of online content and services over the internet. These workshops will be taking place at MLA London, Fourth Floor, 53-56 Great Sutton Street, London EC1V 0DG from 11:00 -15:30 (including a free lunch) on the following dates: Thursday 8th October 2009, Monday 26th October 2009, Thursday 12th November 2009. Places are limited and will be allocated strictly on a first come first served basis. Please email [log in to unmask] to reserve a place. (From [log in to unmask] - 6 Aug 2009)
Using new technology
Social by Social: a practical guide to using new technologies to deliver social impact, has been published by The Lab at NESTA, the national innovation body. It seeks to identify the lessons of how new technologies can be most effectively applied to deliver positive social impact and help transform the way public services work.
http://www.nestalab.org.uk/social-media-for-social-impact/
TRAINING AND CONFERENCES
From the Margins to the Core? - Leicester, 24-26 March 2010
An international conference exploring the shifting roles and increasing significance of diversity and equality in contemporary museum and heritage practice and policy. (Working title) Run jointly with University of Leicester’s School of Museum Studies. http://www.le.ac.uk/ms/profdev/sackler.html
Museums-Inclusion-Engagement - London, 14 December 2009
Museums-Inclusion-Engagement is a highly practical, information packed one day event in which leading professionals involved in the fields of inclusion and engagement within museums and galleries will share their experiences and insights.
Among the key issues to be addressed will be:
- how to obtain sustainable, ongoing funding to support long-term programmes which make a difference
- how to evaluate the short- and long-term impact of your projects
- how to reaching the most excluded groups or individuals
- how to prioritise your work among the various communities
- how to use new community-based communication media
- how to build the right organisational structure to deliver effective programmes
- what can be learnt from the experience of other sectors working in these fields
Presentations from a range of highly experienced speakers will include strategic overviews, practical how-to sessions, and detailed case-studies.
http://www.museumsetc.com/?p=933
Call For Papers - CF10 Conference (Deadline 31 August 2009)
Icon is now issuing a call for papers for the first day of the conference on 25th and 26th March 2010. Please submit 200-400 word abstracts of topics for papers to the CF10 email address: [log in to unmask]
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Apprenticeship for Community Development approved
An apprenticeship/foundation modern apprenticeship and advanced apprenticeship/ modern apprenticeship in Community Development has recently been approved for delivery in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The apprenticeships have been designed for people who have recently become active in Community Development and are working in a paid position within an organisation, community or project. Both the apprenticeship and the advanced apprenticeship have been developed in response to the increasingly urgent need to improve recruitment and retention in community work.
http://www.lluk.org/apprenticeship-for-community-development-approved-23-july-2009.htm
British Council launches Cultural Leadership International programme
The British Council has launched a Cultural Leadership International programme which aims to help future cultural leaders develop their skills and talent in order to cultivate international partnerships and collaborations modelled on UK cultural leadership expertise. Twenty-six cultural leaders from the UK, Western Europe, North America, and the Middle East attended a two-day event in London last month to launch the programme. The project will generate opportunities for the international exchange of knowledge, experiences and ideas, with a tailored programme of activities, including work placements, coaching and mentoring and creative collaborations.
ACCESS, LIFELONG LEARNING AND SOCIAL INCLUSION
Communication Friendly Museums
Through this publication and the support of NESTA, museums have an important new tool in developing their approach to supporting babies’ and children’s early communication skills. The practical examples for developing communication-friendly exhibitions, interpretation and resources will support museums in developing new approaches in tune with the requirements of the Early Years and Foundation Stage Curriculum.
http://www.stokemuseums.org.uk/assets/userfiles/STOKE_MUSEUM_v7.pdf
Science: [So what? So everything] Campaign
BIS, the Department for Business Innovation and Skills, are running the Science: [So what? So everything] campaign which aims to increase people’s engagement in science and to help them to see the difference science makes to their everyday lives. BIS are keen to involve more museums, libraries and archives in recognition of the sector’s proven ability to reach and support the learning of adults, families, young people and children.
Museums, libraries and archives can consider being involved through organising events and exhibitions to communicate the value and interest of science. BIS will promote any relevant event through an online calendar as part of their national PR campaign. Additional, you can provide a link from your website to the campaign site to publicise your activities.
http://sciencesowhat.direct.gov.uk/
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Shattered Lives - Ladder Exchange Initiative 2009 is coming soon
The Ladder Exchange Initiative is simple; if you have a ladder which is bent, broken or battered you can part exchange it for a new one at any one of our partner outlets who are offering discounts on the sales of all ladders at very competitive rates. It also provides dutyholders with an opportunity to review pre-use checks, training, supervision and other arrangements for ladder work. This year the Ladder Exchange Initiative will run from 1 September until 31 December 2009
http://www.hse.gov.uk/falls/ladderexchange.htm
FUNDING AND AWARDS
Arts and Older People
In October 2009 the Baring Foundation will launch a new funding programme giving core costs grants to arts organisations in the UK working with older people. We plan to spend a total of around £3 million in 5 annual rounds. The first grants will be made in June 2010. We will publish a mapping report at the end of September 2009 looking at current practice in this field.
http://www.baringfoundation.org.uk/
Young Creative Entrepreneur Awards
The YCE programme recognises the centrality of creative entrepreneurs to the development of a sustainable and competitive creative economy, and the bridge they provide between artists and the markets, between creative talent and consumers. This unique programme celebrates the skills required by young creative entrepreneurs (aged 25-35), develops new training opportunities, offers new tools for career development, and stimulates opportunities for collaboration and product/project development.
http://www.creativeconomy.org.uk/yce_award_programme_and_archives.html
2010 European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage /Europa Nostra Awards
The Hague June 2009 - Each year, Europa Nostra and the European Union reward the best of cultural heritage achievements. Through the European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Awards, Europa Nostra celebrates excellence and dedication by architects, craftsmen, volunteers, schools, local communities, heritage owners and media. The awards celebrate exemplary restorations and initiatives of the many facets of Europe’s cultural heritage in categories ranging from the restoration of monuments and buildings, their adaptation to new uses, to urban and rural landscape rehabilitation, archaeological site interpretations, and care for art collections. Also awarded are research and education projects, dedicated service to heritage conservation by individuals and organisations, and education and awareness raising initiatives related to cultural heritage. Every year, up to six monetary awards of €10.000 each are awarded to the top laureates in the various categories. The closing date for submission of entries for all categories is 1 October. http://www.europanostra.org.
CHARITIES AND VOLUNTEERS
Community asset transfer fund established
The Welsh Assembly and the Big Lottery Fund have set up a £13m fund to help Welsh community groups acquire public buildings and develop them to suit their needs. "There are many public assets in Wales that are not being used to their full potential, and empowering the community to use these buildings to suit their needs is the main aim of this initiative," said Leighton Andrews, deputy minister for regeneration. "This is a win-win situation." He said the programme would regenerate disused buildings and provide new facilities for third sector organisations. (Third Sector Online, 5 August 2009)
Network Wales
Network Wales provides a twice-monthly roundup of news, analysis, features and diary dates listing forthcoming training courses and other events for the voluntary sector in Wales.
http://www.wcva.org.uk/about/dsp_network.cfm?newsletter=391
Companies Act 2006 changes from 1st October 2009
From 1 October 2009, there will be a number of company law changes affecting charitable companies, trading subsidiaries owned by charities and community interest companies. All Companies House forms will be changing, there will be new and different filing requirements and there will be important changes to what is regarded as a company’s constitution. Bates Wells and Braithwaite solicitors have produced an excellent Summary of Companies Act 2006 changes from 1st October 2009, which will be invaluable to those responsible for the governance of both charitable and non charitable companies.
http://www.bwbllp.com/Updates/Detail.aspx?UpdateID=243&Location=1&ID=0
Employment Status Indicator
The Employment Status Indicator (ESI) tool enables you to check the employment status of an individual or group of workers - that is, whether they are employed or self-employed for tax, National Insurance contributions (NICs) or VAT purposes. The ESI tool is helpful for anyone who takes on workers, such as employers and contractors. (The tool refers to anyone in this position as an engager.) Individual workers can also use the tool to check their employment status.
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/calcs/esi.htm
Campaigning guide
Campaigning is OK! they may not always like it, but it gets things done, is an excellent guide to campaigning by community and voluntary organisations. It is based on findings from 8 regional events and shows why campaigns matter to the sector, even if they aren't always given that label, what support bodies can do to help, and some useful pointers such as a 90 minute work-out on how to plan a successful campaign.
http://static.novas.org/files/campaigningisok-456.pdf
PUBLICATIONS AND RESEARCH
Newsletter of the Network of European Museum Organisations - 1/09
Includes: Access to Culture; An effective instrument towards European citizenship; Report of the ‘Education & Learning’ Working Group; A Letter from the NEMO Chairwoman; NEMO Activities; EU News; Audience Policies in Europe; An Interview with Odile Quintin;
News from NEMO’s Partner Projects; A View on Finnish Museums; ABOUT: Greece
http://www.ne-mo.org/
VisitBritain forecasts for inbound tourism 2009 - Mid-year update - June 2009
This month we include an article by guest writer Kurt Janson; he is a Policy Advisor with the Tourism Alliance. This is a CBI-supported initiative whose main role is to lobby both central government and Brussels on the key strategic issues facing the tourism industry. They seek to establish a good operating environment for all businesses involved in the delivery of the tourism product in the UK. Originally published in the ICAEW Tourism and Hospitality Committee newsletter July 2009.
Environmental scanning guides
NCVO’s series of six Future Focus guides is designed to help small and medium-sized third sector organisations think about likely changes in their external environment and how these trends could affect them. Each pocket guide focuses on a different topic and provides a ready-made analysis of the future changes we will probably see in the coming years in that particular area. Inside, they pose some strategic questions to help organisation’s think through these likely future changes, and how they can prepare for them. The topics are funding, volunteers, new technologies, local democracy, social trends and population. Packed full of tips and suggestions to help plan for these changes, these guides are great to use with boards or senior management teams.
http://www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/publications/publication.asp?id=8938
RESOURCES
International Social Network
Museum 3.0 is a network for those interested in the future of cultural institutions such as museums, galleries, science centres and other collecting bodies.
The Research Centre for Museums and Galleries
The Research Centre for Museums and Galleries (RCMG) was established in 1999 in response to the growing need for research and evaluation within the sector, in particular around the relationship between museums, galleries and their audiences.
A list of RCMG projects and downloads can be accessed from the link below: http://www.le.ac.uk/ms/research/rcmg.html
WANTED
A History of the World - BBC project
We are looking for 50 objects from Welsh museums which tell stories about Wales's influence on the world and the world's influence on Wales. The objects must be manmade, and ideally should be on public display (or at least could be put on display in 2010). We're not primarily looking for buildings, letters, paintings or photographs. Photographs of the 50 objects will be put on our website (and would include links to your museum), and from these 50 we will select about 20 to be included in the TV series.
At the moment, we're thinking that the series could be themed as follows (though these may change according to the objects we select):
Who we are (identity and belief)
Conflict (wars through the ages)
Industry and invention (extracting the raw goods and making things - what Wales gave the world)
On the move (emigration/immigration)
The objects could be a starting point to tell a story about anything from the Welsh involvement in WW1, the coming of Christianity to Wales, export of coal, or even how and when sheep came to Wales, which ultimately led to a successful woollen industry and the world's first mail order catalogue.
We are aiming to select the objects by the end of September, so if you could send me a short email by early September, suggesting key objects, that would be really helpful. At this stage, just a few lines about the object and its significance would be great (thinking about how Wales has had a strong influence on the world and/or when we've been rocked by the wider forces working through the world).
Many thanks in advance for your help.
Carolyn
Tel: 02920 322524 (Tues-Thurs)
NEWS - WALES
North Wales Photographic Association - Bodelwyddan Castle 01.08.09- 04.10.09
An inspirational collection of images from North Wales Photographic Association members. The North Wales Photographic Association is a member of the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain and has twenty active member Clubs and Societies. The purpose of the NWPA is to assist and encourage clubs and societies in the art of photography. This is achieved by organising exhibitions of members’ works, arranging lectures, conferences and competitions as decided by the Executive Committee. Member Clubs embrace both the chemical and digital approach to image making and welcome new members young and old, and are always pleased to welcome visitors holidaying in the area.
http://www.bodelwyddan-castle.co.uk/events.htm
Gwynedd Museum
The Birth of the Museum
When and how did the Gwynedd Museum & Art Gallery start? Why was the Museum started by the University? How were artefacts collected for the museum? Who worked in the museum? Where was the museum?
http://www.gwynedd.gov.uk/gwy_doc.asp?cat=5628&doc=23447&Language=1
Nant Gwrtheyrn: The Enchantment: A photographic exploration by artist Glyn Davies
1 August - 5 September 2009
On Saturday 1st August, the opening will be held of landscape photo-artist Glyn Davies’ latest exhibition about the isolated valley of Nant Gwrtheyrn hidden away on Llŷn. For Glyn it is a spell binding and mysterious place, for a long time lost deep in his childhood memories but now, rediscovered through this very personal project. The deserted granite quarrying village is now an important centre for Welsh language and culture.
http://www.gwynedd.gov.uk/gwy_doc.asp?cat=5806&doc=24105&Language=1
NEWS - SCOTLAND
Intangible Cultural Heritage - Scottish Centre for the Book
In 2008 the AHRC awarded a three-year grant to towards our organising and collating an inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) in Scotland. The national inventory of ICH in Scotland will accord with the 2003 UNESCO Convention on Intangible Heritage domains and the Scottish Government's commitment to respecting diversity and creating community cohesion. The inventory will cover all ICH in Scotland and be a reflection of 'living' practices and knowledge rather than a historical record. As ICH knowledge resides in communities of practice, we will collect 'living' data through 'routes of access' to such practitioners which will allow the inventory to reflect the cultural diversity within our borders. The inventory will take the form of a customised WIKI.
Intangible Cultural heritage in Scotland: the way forward. Summary report
The Napier University report was commissioned by Museums Galleries Scotland in partnership with the Scottish Arts Council and the Scotland Committee of the UK National Commission for UNESCO.
NEWS - UK
The great museum move
Staff at London's Natural History Museum are currently in the process of shifting more than 20 million plant and insect specimens from its world-famous collections into a giant, eight-storey-high cocoon, which sits at the heart of the new Darwin Centre. The building opens in September, and it will give the public a chance to get a glimpse at a part of the museum that is normally hidden way behind closed doors.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8184270.stm
NEWS - IRELAND
New Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure in Northern Ireland
Nelson McCausland has been appointed Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure in the Northern Ireland. Mr McCausland was elected to Belfast City Council in 1989 and has represented the Council on the Ulster Museum, Ulster Folk and Transport Museum and Belfast Education and Library Board. He was the director of the Ulster-Scots Heritage Council from 1997 to 2003 and has been a Democratic Unionist Party member of the Northern Ireland Assembly since 2003 for the North Belfast Constituency.
http://www.northernireland.gov.uk/news/news-dcal-020709-nelson-mccausland-takes
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.
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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]