*With apologies for cross posting*
Dear Colleague
The Visitor Studies Group is please to invite you to:
Audience research in an age of
austerity: Ensuring continued support for the visitor voice
Visitor
Studies Group AGM 2011 and Conference
Weston Theatre,
Friday the 4th of February
10.10 am - 4.30pm
Is
Audience Research a legitimate cut? In the face of severe cuts for the cultural
sector difficult decisions have to be made about funding priorities, including
core collections, opening hours and front-line staff. However, if the burden of
the financial shrinkage falls too heavily on learning and research, is the
quality of the visiting experience itself at risk? What does this mean for
funding bids which increasingly demand evidence of impact and demonstrations of
lessons learnt from previous projects and audience consultations? If insight
into visitor expectations and experiences is cut, how can we effectively engage
people with our collections and stories?
This
one day conference will provide examples of how major projects have been turned
around on small budgets, how audience research can be strategically embedded in
the aims of an organisation and how smaller organisations keep audience
research alive. We will hear first hand from DCMS what some of the issues
facing us are.
Keynote speaker from the
Following
the success of John Falk’s visit last year, VSG is bringing in another
leader in the field of audience research from the
Other
speakers include David Fleming, Director - National Museums Liverpool, Adam
Cooper, Head of Research - DCMS, Liz Neathy, Curator - Havering Museum and Jean
Franczyk, Director of Learning -
Whether
an experienced evaluator or new to the field, the discussion of some of these
topical issues, and examples of how they are being addressed, should help you
cope with the challenges you and your organisation are now facing.
Book
now: price held from 2010!
Registration
costs
VSG Members - £70
VSG Members' Concession* - £40
Non-members - £90
Non-members' Concession* - £50
Registration
fee includes lunch and tea/coffee
*The concessionary rate is available
to individuals who are Full-time Students, Unwaged or Retired.
How
to book
To book online go to: http://visitors.org.uk/node/412
Or
complete the attached registration form below and return your completed form
with a cheque made payable to 'Visitor Studies Group' to:
Mary
Phelps, VSG Administration,
You
can also pay by BACS transfer. Please see registration form for details.
I hope to see you there.
Best wishes,
Melissa Bentley
Museum Development Officer-Networks & Training
London Museums Hub
No 1 Warehouse
Email: [log in to unmask]
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