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CyMAL: Museums Archives and Libraries Wales Museums Current Awareness Service - Bulletin 84 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 FEDERATION OF MUSEUMS AND ART GALLERIES IN WALES Costume Study Day St Fagan's, 18th November Bangor, 23rd November Free to Members of the Federation. Seminar fee for non-members: £10 per person For more information contact: Scott Reid, Cyfarthfa Castle Museum & Art Gallery, Brecon Road, Merthyr Tydfil, CF47 8RE, 01685 723112, [log in to unmask] MUSEUMS LIBRARIES AND ARCHIVES COUNCIL Maths in the Museum? It all adds up Museums, libraries and archives can be made to count in the drive to improve adult numeracy, according to the MLA. The MLA has published a study carried out by NIACE and a research briefing showing how adults can improve their use of mathematical information at work and in everyday life through a variety of activities in museums, libraries and archives. The briefing points to evidence of how the sector can boost numeracy, and highlights good practice examples where practical projects run by museums, libraries and archives have helped adults learn more effectively and achieve better results. http://research.mla.gov.uk/evidence/view-publication.php?dm=nrm&pubid=967 Museums at Night evaluation points to success The evaluation of Museums at Night is now complete and there is a large amount of evidence that the campaign was a success, not just in terms of audience reach and engagement, but also for the sector, who responded to the weekend with enthusiasm staging 157 events with an audience of over 34,000. The two key factors were the fact that new people went to museums - 61% (the key objective) and that a huge additional value was secured in terms of press coverage (over £40k in advertising value). Museums at Night was run on behalf of the MLA by Culture 24. http://tiny.cc/b7edQ DEPARTMENT FOR CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT £4 million grants announced for English museums under DCMS/Wolfson Museums and Galleries Improvement Fund Grants totalling £4 million to help improve displays and facilities at 34 museums up and down the country have been announced by Culture Minister Barbara Follett. The grants, jointly funded by the Culture Department and the Wolfson Foundation, include: - £300,000 for the Bowes Museum in County Durham to refurbish three galleries containing one of the largest collections of Spanish painting in Britain, - £150,000 for HMS Belfast, one of the Imperial War Museum's five branches, to allow it to reinterpret the ship's historic command and control centre; and - £150,000 for the Wiltshire Heritage Museum in Devizes to create a new Bronze Age Gallery to house material excavated from the heart of the Stonehenge World Heritage site. http://www.culture.gov.uk/reference_library/media_releases/6322.aspx MUSEUMS ASSOCIATION MA calls for Iraq Inquiry to include cultural heritage The Museums Association has signed an open letter to Sir John Chilcot, chairman of the Iraq Inquiry, calling for the Inquiry to include problems faced by British forces in safeguarding Iraqi cultural heritage http://www.museumsassociation.org/30276 Museums Association ends recognition for universities A revamp of the AMA scheme will see, from 1 October 2009, the end of the formal recognition scheme for universities and fast-tracking of graduates, said Charlotte Holmes, the MA's museum development officer. The hope is that the new scheme will be more accessible and where previously graduates from museums studies course could fast-track entry to the scheme, now everyone will register the same way. The MA's recognition scheme for museum studies courses will formally end on 30 September 2009, so Holmes is recommending that any graduates from recognised courses, or those with an NVQ level 4 or 5 in cultural heritage, consider applying for the AMA before then. http://www.museumsassociation.org/30234 HERITAGE LOTTERY FUND Collecting Cultures Programme Evaluation - Year One, June 2009 In March 2009 HLF commissioned a review to assess progress with, and the impact to date, of the Collecting Cultures Grants Programme. The overall purpose of the evaluation was to assess how far it had met its published aims to: - make a step change in the ability of the funded museums to develop their collections for future public use; - support the development of collections and their use through strategic acquisition programmes, related research and public programmes; - enhance the professional knowledge and skills of staff working in museums. This report represents an evaluation of the first year's progress of the 22 projects. The Economic Impacts of Funding Heritage - August 2009 Report The Heritage Lottery Fund commissioned GHK Consulting Ltd to examine the economic impacts of 20 HLF projects. These were all large projects, receiving funding of more than £250,000, and completing in 2007. The sample was designed to cover a representative variety of types of heritage project, geographic regions and sizes of grant. The focus of the study was on HLF's general heritage grants programme, rather than on more specific programmes designed to promote regeneration. The Social Impacts of Participating in Heritage Projects - August 2009 Report In June 2008, the Heritage Lottery Fund commissioned BOP Consulting to undertake an assessment of the social impact of participation in HLF-funded projects. The research looks exclusively at the experience of volunteers within HLF-funded projects. Volunteering is the cornerstone of HLF funding. Almost all projects work with volunteers in some capacity, and many have volunteers that play critical roles in the management, design and leadership of projects. http://tinyurl.com/lw48tt AMGUEDDFA CYMRU - NATIONAL MUSEUM WALES Amgueddfa Cymru safeguards eighteenth-century pastel portraits for Wales Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales is pleased to announce that it has recently acquired two eighteenth-century pastel portraits of Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, 4th Baronet and his wife Charlotte Willams Wynn by the Irish artist Hugh Douglas Hamilton. The acquisition was made possible through a £25,000 (pro rata-ed) grant from The Art Fund, the UK's leading independent art charity. The two portraits are of the highest quality and their addition to the collections at Amgueddfa Cymru adds significantly both to the holdings of works related to the Williams Wynn family and to the national portrait collection. They are also the first works in the collection by the significant eighteenth-century artist Hugh Douglas Hamilton. http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/5/?article_id=538 EVENTS European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion 2010 The European Union and its member states are strongly committed to the fight against poverty and social exclusion. The EU Commission has designated 2010 as the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. This reaffirms and strengthens the commitment for the EU, set out in the Lisbon Strategy, to make "a decisive impact on the eradication of poverty". We are inviting proposals to cover the main activities of 2010. These fall into three areas: Regional Activities, Thematic Programmes, Technical Assistance. The deadline for submission of proposals is 5pm on 15 October 2009. http://www.dwp.gov.uk/european%2Dyear%2D2010/ Open Doors 2009 European Heritage Days are an initiative of the Council of Europe supported by the European Union. In Wales European Heritage Days are organised on behalf of Cadw and the Welsh Assembly Government. Open Doors is Wales' biggest celebration of architecture and heritage. The event takes place every September throughout Wales. http://www.civictrustwales.org/ehd/index.htm http://tinyurl.com/nd4oxr TRAINING AND CONFERENCES WCVA new training programme 2009/10 is now available: Management development Personal and organisational development Voices for Change Cymru Sustainable Funding Cymru Training skills Legislation in Wales - Rhyl, 17 September Introduction to Welsh politics and the basics of campaigning - Cardiff, 24 September www.wcva.org.uk Courses for Communities Cymru is a nationwide programme of affordable training for community and voluntary groups, delivered through a partnership between local county voluntary councils (CVCs), volunteer centres (VCs) and Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA). The programme consists of 54 training courses and covers the 'A to Z' of running a voluntary or community group - from how to turn your ideas into a project, to sourcing funding, employing people, managing your money and promoting your project. This dedicated voluntary sector training is available for £20* per person or less - putting it within the reach of voluntary groups** large and small. http://www.coursesforcommunities.org.uk/home?diablo.lang=eng What's the Damage? - London, 23 September 2009 'What's the Damage?' is the concluding activity of the research cluster and will address questions arising from the three workshops and online discussion held earlier this year. These activities examined the tension between conservation and access in order to develop a clearer understanding of the consequences of physical access on the condition of objects. The conference aims to address how the issue of physical encounters with objects should be taken forward. http://www.ucl.ac.uk/conservation-c-22/conference. The Art of Conservation - London, 26-27 October 2009 A two-day conference led by conservators from major international institutions and private collections. It comprises a series of lectures and discussions about current techniques and materials used by conservators of inorganic and organic two and three dimensional art, and the ethical dilemmas these can create. Speakers include leading experts in the conservation and preservation of historic and contemporary painting, paper, photographs, sculpture, metal, ceramics, furniture, and textiles. Recent projects will be illustrated and discussed. For further information please email [log in to unmask] Tel 01728 621126 MuseumNext - Newcastle Upon Time, 22-23 October 2009 MuseumNext is a two day workshop event for museum professionals who are interested in innovative new ways to energize audiences and create more engaging experiences for museum and gallery visitors. At MuseumNext we will be using projects and goals suggested by participants as the starting point for the workshop. All attendees should come with a particular project or goal in mind against which you wish to develop participatory techniques. This event is for museum professionals interested in exploring how museums and galleries can work with their audiences to create more engaging, more innovative, and more powerful experiences. http://www.museumnext.org/ Mix and Match: Develop your communications mix to match your target groups 6 October: CBSO Centre, Birmingham 20 October: The Women's Library, London Bookings are now open for Mix and Match, the AMA workshop on communication planning and development for arts professionals who would like to improve their marketing campaigns and communicate with their different target groups more effectively. It will show delegates how to segment audiences and visitors by the sort of experience they want, rather than how old they are or where they live; how to design their communications to appeal to their audience's motivations; and how to engage specific segments of their audience (e.g. families or young people). The cost for AMA members is £75 + VAT and non members £125 + VAT. For further information and to make a booking, visit the website email [log in to unmask] or call (01223) 578078. FUNDING AND AWARDS Art Fund Museum Survey - call to participate The Art Fund is encouraging all accredited museums to participate in the next round of its museum survey. The survey will examine how museums' visitor numbers and finances are faring in the recession. The survey will be live online between 7-25 September and is described as taking no more than five minutes to complete. The Art Fund will publish its findings in October to provide an overview of what challenges the museum sector is currently facing. For more information contact Lizzie Bloom on 020 7225 4804 or [log in to unmask] CHARITIES AND VOLUNTEERS Network Wales Awards for organisational excellence The Network Wales Awards have been established to promote and recognise the work of voluntary organisations across Wales. Individuals can nominate their own organisation for an award and can also nominate other organisations in separate categories. Each nominated organisation will receive a certificate of commendation and the winners will be presented with an award at WCVA's annual conference dinner to be held on 3 December in Llandudno. http://tinyurl.com/r98rsw Expenses for registered charities consultation. In the wake of the recent press coverage surrounding senior management's expenses, the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) and the Charity Finance Directors' Group have set up an Independent Expert Group on Expenses for registered charities. The group is tasked with reporting on best practice on the disclosure of expenses by charities. The group have launched a consultation seeking the sector's views on expenses, open until 30 October. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=DqdhQ4cLdM8eQbdTvQigIg_3d_3d Charity Tribunal abolished in existing form The Charity Tribunal has been abolished in its current form and amalgamated into a new two-tier tribunal structure as part of wider reforms to the service. As from September 1, appeals against final decisions of the Charity Commission will be heard in the General Regulatory Chamber of the First-tier Tribunal. (Third Sector Online, 2 September 2009.) http://tinyurl.com/nq8xzg Wales third sector funding conference - Swansea, 7 October The third sector funding conference is the annual event where delegates from across Wales gather to find out first hand about the present funding situation. The conference aims to provide voluntary organisations, large and small, with an overview of the current climate, information on new funding opportunities and access to representatives from some key funders of our sector. There will be a wide range of funders running workshops and exhibiting at the conference. For further information on this event when it becomes available please contact: WCVA Events on 029 2043 1724 or [log in to unmask] WCVA Annual conference and AGM - Llandudno, 3 December This year's annual conference is on the theme of Climate Change. It is aimed at all kinds of third sector organisations, particular those who have not yet engaged with the climate change agenda, as a successful response to climate change requires action by everyone. The conference will include a range of inspiring speakers and the opportunity to hear from organisations like yours who are already taking successful action to tackle the causes and consequences of climate change, as well finding out about tools you can use to take action yourselves. WCVA is also aiming to provide leadership to the sector by 'walking the talk' itself and its experience of becoming 'greener' will be shared with delegates at the conference. For further information on this event when it becomes available please contact: WCVA Events on 029 2043 1724 or [log in to unmask] PUBLICATIONS AND RESEARCH Thriving in the 21st century Are you ready for the future? Do you want to find out how to thrive in an increasingly complex and uncertain world? Be part of MMM's unique action research into the relationship between the qualities we will need to thrive in the 21st century and the arts and cultural sector. http://www.missionmodelsmoney.org.uk/ Call For Papers - Memory in the Maritime Museum: Objects, Narratives, Identities Editors: Helen Beneki, Dr James P. Delgado and Dr Anastasia Filippoupoliti We invite papers for a special double issue of the International Journal of Heritage Studies, which will explore the following themes related to maritime museums: - the representation of maritime past in exhibitions; - the relationship of the preservation of maritime heritage to the local community; - the re-invention of past (national, regional, local) identities in today's communities through maritime exhibition narratives; and - the role of maritime activity in creating ethnically and culturally diverse populations in seaports (local communities). Please submit an abstract (max 350 words) by 27 November 2009 to the guest editors. http://www.museumethnographersgroup.org.uk/?p=news&n_id=80 http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/authors/rjhsauth.asp NEWS - WALES Montgomery on TV 'Fflic', a Welsh film company produce the popular series 'Y Dref Gymreig' / 'The Welsh Town' in Welsh with English subtitles. They visited Montgomery last April. The programme featuring Montgomery is scheduled to be transmitted on Tuesday 29th September 2009 at 8.25pm on S4C. It will be repeated the following Friday at 9.30pm. http://www.s4c.co.uk/ydrefgymreig Museum remembers quarry closure A series of events has been organised to mark the 40th anniversary of the closure of Dinorwig Quarry, Llanberis. Three hundred and fifty men lost their jobs when the quarry closed in August 1969, bringing to an end a way of life in the area dating back to the 1780s. Marketing officer Julie Williams said the anniversary would concentrate on the effect the closure had on the area. All the events, including a commissioned play, are being organised by the Welsh Slate Museum in Llanberis. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/north_west/8208048.stm Brecon Museum and Art Gallery - Artist/Object/Project, 04.09.09-01.11.09 Artist Object Project features the work of three artists - Catherine Bertola, Michael Cousin and Deirdre Nelson, who have all been commissioned to make new work based on the applied art collections at Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales. This major exhibition has been organised as part of Celf Cymru Gyfan - ArtShare Wales, Amgueddfa Cymru's visual arts partnership programme which aims to increase access to the national art collection through innovative collaborative projects around Wales. It is the first full exhibition of the new phase of Celf Cymru Gyfan - ArtShare Wales, which has been extended to include all venues expressing an interest in working with the national collection. ArtShare Wales is funded by the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation. Medieval travel book on display A 13th Century copy of a medieval travel writer's book has returned to Wales for the first time in 20 years to form part of an exhibition. Gerald of Wales trekked more than 500 miles (804.5km) in 1188, primarily to recruit soldiers for the third crusade in the Middle East. A copy of his "Journey through Wales" has been lent to The National Museum in Cardiff by The British Library. The exhibition is about Wales' links to the Holy Land during the crusades. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/mid/8238072.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.