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CyMAL: Museums Archives and Libraries Wales
Museums Current Awareness Service - Bulletin 107
Information about the Museums Current Awareness Service can be found on CyMAL’s pages on the Welsh Assembly website.
http://www.wales.gov.uk/cymal
This is the final bulletin to be issued before the National Assembly for Wales elections. Information on pre-election restrictions can be found at http://wales.gov.uk/election. Stay subscribed however, as we’ll be back soon after the election.
WELSH ASSEMBLY GOVERNMENT - CYMAL
People’s Collection Wales Grants
In response to demand from the sector, from 2011-12 CyMAL will be providing limited grant funding targeted at creating new content for Casgliad y Werin Cymru - People’s Collection Wales (PCW). This will include digitised material, oral history or other media but your project should present this material in an exciting, engaging way, perhaps tied into a particular anniversary or event.
We are inviting applications for grants to undertake the above work, utilising the existing CyMAL Innovation & Development grant paperwork in the 2011-12 Grants section of the CyMAL website. Please note that, due to the later confirmation of this funding, the following amended timetable applies for these applications:
- April - 12 June 2011 - Development of outline proposal; Advice seeking from Culturenet Cymru and CyMAL for advice; development of Application;
- 13 June 2011 - closing date for submission of applications to CyMAL;
- 7 July 2011 - applicants informed of decisions;
- 1 February 2012 - projects completed.
http://tinyurl.com/cymalgrants20112
A briefing and discussion day to introduce changes to the role of Curatorial Advisers in the revised Accreditation Standard.
CyMAL, in conjunction with the Museums, Archives and Libraries Council (MLA), will be carrying out a briefing and discussion day on Wednesday 11 May at Powysland Museum. The day will provide an update to the changes to the Museum Accreditation scheme and the change of role from Curatorial Advisers to Museum Mentors in the revised Standard. There will also be a chance to discuss these changes.
To book a place, please contact Carys Roberts at CyMAL on 0300 062 2095 or complete the booking form and e-mail it to [log in to unmask]
http://tinyurl.com/cymaltraining
£2.8 million for Welsh libraries, museums and archives
Minister for Heritage Alun Ffred Jones has announced an investment of £2.8 million in grants to develop the work of libraries, museums and archives across Wales. The funding supports a range of projects that vary from large scale modernisation of public library buildings to supporting volunteer-run museums.
Alun Ffred Jones said: “I am delighted to announce this investment which will improve public access to the rich collections of our local museums, archives and libraries. People are at the centre of our vision for the preservation of our rich and proud history. These grants will help museums and archives across the country to enhance their work in preserving and presenting our heritage through conservation work, and developing new exhibitions, online resources and educational activities that will bring the collections alive for a new generation of people.”
http://wales.gov.uk/newsroom/cultureandsport/2011/110328libraries/?lang=en
WELSH ASSEMBLY GOVERNMENT - CADW
The Princes of Gwynedd arise again for new heritage tourism initiative
Princes of Gwynedd will identify clusters of sites in localised areas to be used to develop meaningful and memorable storylines on the life and times of the Princes.A consortium led by Conwy County Borough Council in partnership with Gwynedd Council, Snowdonia National Park Authority and the National Trust has been awarded funding under the £19million European funded Heritage Tourism Project, backed by £8.5m from the European Regional Development Fund.
Princes of Gwynedd will identify clusters of sites in localised areas linked to a series of gateway sites including Conwy, Caernarfon and Betws y Coed. These strategic hubs will be used to develop meaningful and memorable storylines on the life and times of the Princes to build connections between historic sites, places, people and communities. The aim is to deliver an authentic and distinctive heritage tourism product, in North West Wales, and one which has been designed in detail in conjunction with Cadw.
http://wales.gov.uk/newsroom/cultureandsport/2011/1103314princes/?lang=en&status=closed
Copper Kingdom Project strikes Gold
A major project to preserve and promote industrial, social and environmental heritage of Mynydd Parys and north eastern Anglesey is a step closer to realisation as the Amlwch Industrial Heritage Trust announces that nearly £3 million is now in place to take the project forward. The Heritage Minister, Alun Ffred Jones visited Amlwch, to meet with representatives from the Amlwch Industrial Heritage Trust who now hope to create a major attraction and facility based on this heritage. Cadw, the Welsh Assembly Government historic environment service has supported the ‘Copper Kingdom’ project through its £19m European funded Heritage Tourism Project backed by £8.5m from the European Regional Development Fund.
http://wales.gov.uk/newsroom/cultureandsport/2011/110324copper/?lang=en
Past proves a hit as visitor numbers to Cadw sites increase
The number of people visiting the staffed sites in Cadw’s care between March 2010 and February 2011 was 1, 179, 623 compared with 1, 128, 911 for the same period in 2009-10.
One of the reasons for the increase in numbers is the work done to enhance the visitor experience and attract new audiences by telling the story of Wales’ history in new and captivating ways. Cadw’s programme of events ranges from small-scale live interpretation to large-scale re-enactments and authentic medieval feasts.
http://wales.gov.uk/newsroom/cultureandsport/2011/110316past/?lang=en
Consultation: Establishment of a Register of Historic Battlefields in Wales
Welsh Ministers propose that Cadw should compile and maintain a nonstatutory Register of Historic Battlefields in Wales. It will comprise a list of battlefields considered to be of national importance, in order to protect our most significant sites for the future. We are seeking your views on a series of questions, to help us develop this proposal into its final format.
http://wales.gov.uk/consultations/cultureandsport/battlefields/?lang=en
Putting the past to work in the present for the future
Exploring ways to embed an understanding of historic character in planning and tourism and the potential it has to play in economic regeneration in Wales was the focus of a one-day Urban and Waterfront Heritage Regeneration summit held at Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon, on Thursday 9 March and organized by Cadw, the Welsh Assembly Government’s historic environment service. The keynote speaker was Heritage Minister Alun Ffred Jones with contributions from Cadw, WAG Regeneration, Visit Wales, British Waterways and Waterways Forward (a European Project involving 17 partners), Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), Swansea University and the City and County of Swansea. Local authorities and regeneration agents for key waterfront communities across Wales were also present.
The Minister also launched Cadw’s Conservation Principles at the summit, published following extensive consultation with the sector. The principles aim to manage change so that the significance of historic assets including urban landscapes can be carried forward for future generations to enjoy.
http://www.cadw.wales.gov.uk/default.asp?id=21&NewsId=350
North Wales Slate industry included on UNESCO World Heritage Site Candidate List
The UK Tentative List for World Heritage Sites is a list of sites that are regarded as having the potential for outstanding universal value, giving them a realistic chance of a successful nomination for World Heritage Site status to the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO. Inclusion on the Tentative List is essential before a site may be nominated by a State Party. The Heritage Minister, said:
http://wales.gov.uk/newsroom/cultureandsport/2011/110322unesco/?version=1&lang=en
WELSH ASSEMBLY GOVERNMENT - VISIT WALES
Tell us what you think
Please take five minutes to complete our online industry questionnaire. We want to find out what you think of our communications, through our eNewsletters, industry website, Quality Wales magazine and how we engage with the tourism industry at meetings and events. We’re grateful for your feedback, it allows us to monitor our performance and make improvements where necessary. Click on the link below to take complete the questionnaire.
MUSEUMS LIBRARIES AND ARCHIVES COUNCIL
MLA Responsibilities To Transfer On 1 October
After a period of constructive dialogue and extensive information sharing between Arts Council England and MLA, a detailed process designed to enable the transfer of MLA expertise to the Arts Council on 1st October 2011 has been proposed. MLA is now conducting an intensive consultation with its staff and trade union representatives about this process, and the implications for affected individuals. The MLA’s museum and libraries responsibilities will transfer on the same date and meanwhile, MLA will continue to deliver those responsibilities, both nationally and regionally, while at the same time winding down other functions.
The MLA and the Arts Council have collaborated on budgets and other commitments that MLA has entered into for 2011/12, so that the sector should not experience disruption during the transition. An announcement about the future location of the MLA’s archive responsibilities will be made by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport in due course.
http://www.mla.gov.uk/news_and_views/press_releases/2011/trans_update_march
DEPARTMENT FOR CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT
Tourism action plan published
The Government has published its action plan to help the British tourism industry achieve its growth potential. The plan exploits the opportunities afforded by the Olympics and Diamond Jubilee to attract four million overseas visitors, bring in an extra £2 billion and create thousands of jobs.
http://www.culture.gov.uk/publications/7896.aspx
MUSEUMS ASSOCIATION
Research into collections-sharing expertise
The MA is leading the research for the Sharing Expertise Group on approaches to sharing collections-related expertise in museums across the UK. It aims to analyse the ways in which museums source and share expertise, from training and subject specialist networks to regional skills-sharing programmes and partnerships. An online survey can be found at
http://www.museumsassociation.org/forms/23022011-sharing-collections-expertise-survey
Could you represent your nation or region for the Museums Association?
The MA is looking to appoint representatives for each of the devolved nations and English regions. Each region and devolved nation will be represented by the Museums Association, as part of our new governance system and business plan. Representatives will act as a key link between the MA and its members in their nation/region and will attend meetings on behalf of the MA. Representatives will be individual members of the MA and the posts will be voluntary.
ACE ill equiped to take over MLA functions, say MPs
http://tinyurl.com/4bjkwbr
NATIONAL MUSEUMS DIRECTORS’ CONFERENCE
NMDC joins new initiative to improve sharing of skills and expertise across UK museums
NMDC has joined bodies representing museums of all kinds to collaborate on a new programme of work, which aims to increase and improve the sharing of skills and expertise across the UK museum sector. The Association of Independent Museums, Collections Trust, the Museums Association, the National Museum Directors’ Conference and the University Museums Group have committed to working more closely together to enable museums of all types to better share their skills and expertise throughout the professional and volunteer community through a joint Sharing Expertise group. This work will also examine how frameworks should operate within national strategies of the devolved nations.
NMDC work on philanthropy
NMDC has been coordinating work on philanthropy with colleagues from organisations across the cultural sector in response to the variety of initiatives and consultations emerging from Government on the topic, in particular:
- Jeremy Hunt’s 10 point plan on philanthropy announced on 8th December 2010;
- The Green Paper issued by the Cabinet Office as part of its cross-departmental review on encouraging social action;
- The Government’s proposed review of tax incentives for philanthropy; and
- The independent Philanthropy Review led by Thomas Hughes-Hallett.
Following on from a successful meeting in February, where there was agreement on a number of top priorities for short and long term change, a paper was produced as a general framework that everyone can use as a basis for response.
http://www.nationalmuseums.org.uk/news/newsletters/?item=37
AMGUEDDFA CYMRU - NATIONAL MUSEUM WALES
Lifetime to Legacy at National Museum Cardiff
The name Derek Mathias Tudor Williams will not be familiar to everybody, but it is this Welshman who has been the greatest benefactor to Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales since Gwendoline and Margaret Davies. Derek Williams (1929-1984) was an important collector of modern British art and the collection he built has been further enhanced with new acquisitions by the Derek Williams Trust. The whole collection is on long-term loan to Amgueddfa Cymru. A new exhibition to celebrate Derek Williams’ contribution to art in Wales, Lifetime to Legacy: The Derek Williams Trust Collection will go on show at National Museum Cardiff from Friday 25 March 2011.
http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/5/?article_id=650
Significant support secures Hodgkin for Wales
Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales has acquired one of Howard Hodgkin’s most spectacular original prints, entitled Venice, Evening, 1995 thanks to funding grants from the Nerys Johnson Contemporary Art Fund and the Derek Williams Trust. Thanks to the generous support of the Nerys Johnson Contemporary Art Fund and the Derek Williams Trust, who each awarded a grant of £9,000, the 16 part hand painted etching and aquatint will beautifully complement and enhance other Venetian works by artists in the Museum collection including Canaletto, Guardi, Monet, Whistler, Sickert, Brangwyn and Piper.
http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/5/?article_id=649
New President of Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales
Heritage Minister, Alun Ffred Jones has announced the appointment of Elisabeth Elias as the President of Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales’ Board of Trustees. Her term of appointment as President will run from 1 June 2011 to 31 May 2015. Mrs Elias is currently the Vice-President of the Museum.
http://wales.gov.uk/newsroom/cultureandsport/2011/4904141/?lang=en
COLLECTIONS
Balancing risk - the cost of loans insurance
A working group of Collections Mobility 2.0, the European Commission-funded project aimed at facilitating lending between museums within the EU, has found that commercial insurance can account for as much as 15% of an exhibition budget. The research found only seven reported claims out of 5,605 loans which were covered by state indemnity schemes from 2003-08, with compensation paid amounting to only €80,000.
http://www.lending-for-europe.eu/
http://www.theartnewspaper.com/articles/Low-risk-high-premiums/23051
Collections Trust launches culture-sector standards wiki
As part of the development of a new programme called Excellence in Collections, the Collections Trust has announced the launch of an innovative Standards Wiki, designed to help the UK and international cultural community collaborate on the development of next-generation standards. Powered by the same software which runs Wikipedia, the Standards Wiki is an open online platform through which people can share best practice, discuss key challenges and collaborate on ‘live’ documents.
http://standards.collectionslink.org.uk
Collections Trust to release updated versions of Benchmarks and Spectrum
The Collections Trust will next week publish revised versions of Spectrum and Benchmarks in Collections Care that museum staff can download for free from its website.
The organisation was commissioned to update the tools by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) in order bring them in line with the MLA’s revised Accreditation scheme.
Benchmarks 2.0, a management tool used to assess the level of collection care that should be given to objects on display and in storage, will now be published as an Excel spreadsheet as well as a PDF. For the first time it also incorporates the PAS197 code of practice for cultural collections management.
Spectrum 4.0 has been streamlined and made simpler to use, with 21 procedures represented through flow diagrams. The tool provides specification for collections management activity - for example, offering step-by-step guidance on what to do when an object first arrives at a museum.
http://www.collectionslink.org.uk/
Enhanced Collections Management Software Survey Now Available!
The Collections Trust has announced the launch of a new, enhanced version of its popular Collections Management Software Survey to help museums make the most of their purchasing budgets. The Collections Management Software Survey provides comprehensive information about the products and services provided by the 11 leading international vendors in the SPECTRUM Partners scheme, including details of pricing and functionality and links to demo versions of the software.
TRAINING AND CONFERENCES
Cyfrwng 2011: International Conference on Media and Culture in Small Nations - Cardiff, 16-17 June 2011
The Cyfrwng Conference is one of Europe’s leading conferences for television, new media, film, radio, journalism, performance and the creative industries. It aims to take an international perspective on media and culture in small nations, and will include speakers from New Zealand, Catalonia, the Basque Country, Denmark, Iceland and Belgium, as well as Wales, Scotland and Ireland. The conference will also feature a round-table discussion on the future of the Welsh language broadcaster S4C and a presentation on the BBC’s new Drama Village at Cardiff Bay.
GCG Seminar - So you’ve got a geology collection: now what? - York, 17 May 2011
A one day seminar/workshop for non specialist curators who find themselves responsible for a museum geology collection. This session will provide practical advice and ideas about how the collection can be used in the Museum, from teaching and research to informal learning and public programmes, as well as a look at the refurbished Yorkshire Museum.
I am looking for volunteers to contribute 30 minute talks or case studies. Please let me know if you are interested in contributing. The thrust of the seminar is actually to encourage Museums without geological curators to use their geology collections so if you can circulate this to relevant museums in your area I would be grateful, as it would be good to get some non geological curators attending.
For further information and to offer papers please contact - Steve McLean, Great North Museum, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4PT. 0191 222 6765, [log in to unmask]
Heritage & Climate Change: Protection at any Cost? Discussion Forum - 5th May 2011
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/environment-institute/forthcoming-events/heritage
Touring Exhibitions Group Marketplace - London, 11 April 2011
We are pleased to announce that the date for our 2011 Marketplace will be Monday 11 April at the British Museum. As usual, the Marketplace will provide an ideal opportunity for everyone involved in touring exhibitions to get up to date with the latest developments in the touring exhibitions sector, catch up on recent developments in display and design, meet exhibition suppliers face to face, and network with other exhibitions experts. There will also be seminars on how the current financial climate is affecting the touring exhibitions sector
http://teg.org.uk/index.php?id=3,5
ACCESS, LIFELONG LEARNING AND SOCIAL INCLUSION
Changes in child protection policy
In 2010 the Coalition Government announced a review of the Vetting and Barring Scheme. The recommendations were released in February 2011. An outline of these recommendations has been included in the MLA Safeguarding guidance supplement (March 2011) produced with the NSPCC, which is now available to download on the MLA website.
http://www.mla.gov.uk/what/programmes/commissioning/CPD/safeguarding_welfare
Family Learning supported through Strategic Commissioning
MLA and NIACE have produced 'Family learning and museums, libraries and archives and the cultural sector'. The publication aims to set the context for the strategic development of family learning programmes with museums, libraries, archives and the wider cultural sector. It details a variety of government priorities where family learning can play an important role in delivering results for the families involved and their communities. Developments are placed in the context of localism and strategic commissioning.
http://shop.niace.org.uk/family-learning-and-mla.html.
Wonderful Things: Learning with museum objects
A new book Wonderful Things brings together some of the latest ideas about how to use objects for learning including over 50 games for all age ranges. The book aimed at teachers, museums professionals and other educators was funded by MLA and is available free to download
http://www.lulu.com/product/book-download/wonderful-things/12994568
Shortlist For 2011 Guardian Family Friendly Museum Award Announced
What makes a museum especially family friendly? Is it trails for toddlers? Art sessions for teenagers? Highchairs in the cafe? All good - but, say family visitors, not enough. Each museum on the shortlist for the Award has shown a commitment to the local community.
http://www.kidsinmuseums.org.uk/awards/
Participation Cymru training April - June 2011
Participation Cymru has launched its new training programme for public service providers in the third, public and private sectors for April - June 2011. Our training courses are suitable for people who want to design, develop and deliver citizen engagement and public participation. The courses provide the skills you need to engage with confidence and will improve the quality of engagement your organisation delivers.
The programme includes popular courses from previous programmes like Advanced facilitation and &&Confidence at public events courses, as well as brand new courses like our Evaluating and monitoring outcomes and Effective partnership working courses. Participation Cymru will also be running our popular accredited training on Public engagement: theory and practice in Bangor.
http://www.participationcymru.org.uk/training
FUNDING
Budget 2011: Gift Aid changes and philanthropic tax
http://www.museumsassociation.org/museums-journal/news/23032011-budget
Welsh Princes’ castle to be opened up to the people thanks to £4.7m HLF grant
Cardigan Castle, home to legendary Welsh princes and Wales’ first National Eisteddfod, has been given a grant of nearly £4.7m from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to save the iconic building and create a major heritage visitor destination. Cadwgan Building Preservation Trust have been campaigning since 2001 to save the Castle’s 840 year history. They went into partnership with the castle owners Ceredigion County Council in 2007 in order to bid for HLF cash. They were awarded the money to carry out conservation work at the Castle - a Scheduled Ancient Monument and Grade I listed building - and to listed buildings and the historic gardens which are all within the walls of the site.
http://www.hlf.org.uk/news/Pages/CardiganCastle.aspx
Brecknock Museum and Art Gallery, Powys - first-round pass of £1.9m
Brecknock Museum and Art Gallery was created in 1928 and moved to its current location, the town’s former Shire Hall, in 1974. The museum holds the largest heritage collection in Powys, including material excavated from the Roman fort, Brecon Gaer. The project will see major restoration work carried out on the building and the creation of new exhibition spaces allowing unseen collections to be shown. Staff and volunteers will be trained in collection care and museum management skills.
http://www.hlf.org.uk/news/Pages/Investmentgivesnewlifetofourkeyheritagesites.aspx
CHARITIES
WCVA Wales Charity Law Conference 2011 - Llandrindod Wells, 12 May 2011
Times are tough for third sector groups. Simply surviving could be dependent on how well you know your legislation. This is why WCVA’s Wales Charity Law conference 2011 could be the most important yet. It will offer vital information and expert advice on a huge range of subjects, including:
- Protecting your organisation
- Challenging government decisions
- How to provide services with shrinking resources
- Managing financial risk
- What the Charity Commission can offer
- An update on employment law
http://www.wcva.org.uk
Is Trust status right for you?
Renaissance Yorkshire has produced a practical guide to the feasibility stage of a museum transfer, 'An Opportunity for Change - Exploring the Trust Option for Museum Services'. This document produced in conjunction with Lawrence Graham LLP focuses on the feasibility stage of the process i.e. determining whether the Trust option is the right one for you and the critical issues to be addressed to achieve a successful service transfer. The publication is targeted at local authority officers tasked with looking at options for museum services and is intended to give practical guidance through worked examples of the issues to be addressed.
Is charitable status strangling the sector?
Arts & Business chief executive Colin Tweedy has urged theatres and art galleries to consider giving up charitable status, saying that charity law is too restrictive and leading to a risk-averse environment. Speaking at Arts & Culture - Filling the Funding Gap, reported by Audiences UK, he suggested cultural organisations would be better off operating as co-operatives (John Lewis) or social enterprises (The Big Issue and Eden Project).
VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers for Museum Learning / The Marsh Trust Award
This exciting award recognises best practice and the innovative ways in which volunteers work in museums and galleries to engage the public with collections. Any individual or small group of people (maximum of 10 people per group) who worked on a voluntary basis in direct contact with the public in an accredited museum or gallery during the previous year can apply.
http://www.britishmuseum.org/marshaward
Wales Volunteer of the Year Awards 2011
Is there an inspirational individual in your community? Or a group that selflessly and tirelessly gives up their time to help improve the lives of others? If so, why not nominate them for a Wales Volunteer of the Year Award? It’s your chance to get these remarkable people the recognition they deserve. Don’t let these outstanding efforts go unnoticed.
GwirVol Grants
The aim of the GwirVol Youth Volunteering Grants scheme is to support the delivery of a wide range of new volunteering opportunities in Wales and overseas that will support the step change in access to volunteering for young people aged 16-25 and especially for disadvantaged young people. The GwirVol grant scheme offers five different strands of funding: Creating Opportunities, Promotions, StreetGames, International and Millennium Volunteers grants.
http://www.gwirvol.org/en/grants/2011-grants/
Volunteers Week 1-7 June 2011
Volunteers' Week is a national celebration of volunteers and volunteering which takes place from 1 to 7 June each year. It plays a huge part in raising the profile of volunteers while encouraging others to get involved. Each year more and more organisations get involved in the celebrations and participants take part in various events throughout Wales. These range from award presentations to setting-up information booths or sponsored walks and team challenge events.
http://www.wcva.org.uk/volunteering/index.cfm?sub=7&display_sitetextid=2120
About the European Year of Volunteering 2011
The European Year of Volunteering is both a celebration and a challenge. It is a celebration of the commitment of millions of people in Europe who work in their communities during their free time without being paid - for example in schools, hospitals, and sports clubs, protecting the environment, providing social services and helping people in other countries. Their efforts and those of the many thousands of volunteering organisations make a huge difference to our lives in countless ways. The EYV is also a challenge to the three-quarters of the European population who do not do any volunteering. We would like to say to them that they can also make a difference.
http://europa.eu/volunteering/en/press-media
RESOURCES
Hands On History - BBC Support for Museum Learning
To complement the ‘Hands On History’ programmes, the BBC is working with partners in the heritage sector to encourage families to engage with inspiring hands-on history activities. The BBC can provide small amounts of funding to museums for relevant family learning events; advertise Hands On History family learning events through the web site http://www.bbc.co.uk/handsonhistory; and provide advertising materials for an event. If you would like to develop family events relating to the programme topics - History of Ancient Britain; Domesday Reloaded; Reel History; and Digging for Britain – please contact BBC Learning Project Manager Catherine Garvie, (tel 0141 422 6499, e-mail [log in to unmask]) for further information.
NEWS - WALES
Ceredigion's chapel history show
Artefacts from disbanded chapels, ranging from pulpits to harmoniums, have gone on display at a new exhibition at Ceredigion Museum. Curator Michael Freeman said it was the "tip of a massive iceberg" of what is available, with chapels closing in Wales at the rate of one a week. "Many congregations are finding it impossible to maintain their buildings," he added. Other items on show include preachers' chairs and banners.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-mid-wales-12865514
Llandudno Museum's virtual exhibition of artefacts
Llandudno Museum is hosting a virtual collection of artefacts which are usually never seen together. A stone head of the Roman god Mars and a 10,000-year-old bone are among items which can be seen via holograms and 3D computer images. "It's very futuristic to look at," said Shirley Williams, museums educational officer for Conwy County Council. The exhibition is at Llandudno until 8 April, before moving to several other venues.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-12750967
Bangor museum tells story of the naughty boys' ship
It was known as the naughty boys' ship because it tried to turn around the lives of teenage delinquents. The Clio trained hundreds for life in the royal or merchant navy when it was moored in the Menai Strait off Anglesey from 1877 to 1920. Now its story is being retold at Gwynedd Museum and Art Gallery, Bangor. "It was part of local folklore," said the museum's Alun Thomas. "People would say, 'If you don't behave you'll be sent to naughty boys' ship' ".The exhibition on HMS Clio, a naval gunship reborn as a correction vessel, runs until 17 September.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-12711101
Cadw: Heritage Minister scraps free age group entry
Cadw will look at new ways of attracting visitors to attractions such as Rhuddlan Castle, Denbighshire. People over 60 and under 16 will no longer be allowed to visit many of Wales' historic sites for free. Heritage Minister Alun Ffred Jones said the policy had failed to attract lower-waged families and site operator Cadw would now consider other methods.
The scheme, which began in 2008 and will end on 1 June, costs the Welsh Assembly Government around £130,000 a year.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-12917898
NEWS - ENGLAND
Free entry to be scrapped at five Birmingham museums
Free entry is going to be scrapped at five museums in Birmingham. Charges have come against a backdrop of £212m savings across the city council and the alternative was to close one or more sites, the authority said. It added the decision to introduce charges was made after "every other option" had been explored and there would be a number of free days at every site throughout the year. The museums and heritage services section has to make "significant savings" of £1.2m for 2011/12, of which £250,000 would need to come from community museums, the council said.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-12875513
Porthcurno Telegraph Museum wins £125,000 for children
A Cornish museum dedicated to the history of electronic communications has been given £125,000 to improve its exhibitions for children. Porthcurno Telegraph Museum near Land's End has been given by the money by the Clore Duffield Foundation which said it was a "world-class organisation". The museum is among a number of organisations sharing grants of £8.2m from the philanthropical foundation. Other organisations benefiting are Kensington Palace, the Museum of Liverpool and the National Theatre in London.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-12846627
Frome hoard of Roman coins to stay in Somerset
The largest ever collection of Roman coins found in Britain in one pot will stay in the county where it was unearthed. The Museum of Somerset has raised £320,250 to keep the Frome Hoard. The coins, which date back over 1,700 years, were found last April by metal-detectorist Dave Crisp from Wiltshire. Steven Minnit, from the museum, said he was "absolutely delighted" and could not believe the public's interest. The coins will be on display when the museum's £6.9m revamp is completed in the summer.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-12800098
NEWS - SCOTLAND
MGS AGM 2011: First details of new vision for Scotland’s museums unveiled
Culture Minister Fiona Hyslop pledged support for Scotland’s museums and galleries in a Scottish Government announcement issued to press over the weekend. The announcement also outlined preliminary details of the national strategy for Scotland’s museums and galleries - details which were presented to members who attended the Museums Galleries Scotland annual general meeting (AGM) held in Edinburgh on 18 March 2011.
NEWS - UK
Museums Council axing should be reviewed, say MPs
A group of MPs has urged the government to review its decision to axe the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council. The MPs raised concerns the decision was taken without a "clear idea" of who would take over their duties. The cuts were announced as part of the government's Spending Review. The Arts Council - itself facing 30% funding cuts - has been asked to take over the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council's remit to promote improvement and innovation in the area of museums, libraries and archives. But the Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) report said it "will not be as effective" and has urged the government to "review its decision again in 2012".
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-12874416
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
CyMAL: Amgueddfeydd Archifau a Llyfrgelloedd Cymru - CyMAL: Museums Archives and Libraries Wales
Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru - Welsh Assembly Government
Rhodfa Padarn,
Aberystwyth,
Ceredigion,
SY23 3UR.
Ffon/Tel: 0300 062 2101
Fax/Ffacs: 0300 062 2052
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