 |
 |
CyMAL: Museums Archives and Libraries Wales Museums Current Awareness Service - Bulletin 125 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 WELSH GOVERNMENT - CYMAL Forward Planning - Narberth, 2 October CyMAL will be holding a training session on Forward Planning in the following location during October: Heather Lomas who works for the Arts Council England giving Accreditation advice and support to museums in England will be leading the day. To book a place, please contact [log in to unmask] Business Planning Workshop - Merthyr Tydfil, 22nd October 2012 This one day workshop will explain why it is essential to have a business plan to ensure the future success of your organisation. Designed for Cultural Heritage Managers and for those who are responsible for writing and contributing to the plan, this course will explain what needs to be included and perhaps more importantly, how it should be implemented. To get the most from the course we invite 2 members each from up to 5 organisations to attend this intensive workshop led by Arts & Business Wales. To book a place please email Seaneen McGrogan, [log in to unmask] http://tinyurl.com/cymaltraining A Museums Strategy for Wales Steering Group The minutes for the meeting held on 3rd July 2012 are now available on the CyMAL website. http://tinyurl.com/cymalmuseumstrategy WELSH GOVERNMENT Your Heritage - Have Your Say We want to hear your views on the future of archaeological sites, historic buildings and historic parks and gardens in Wales. Cadw has been undertaking a review of heritage protection in Wales over the last six months, and has held a number of workshops to inform this work. In partnerships with the Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA) we are now holding a number of drop-in events around Wales to discuss proposed changes to the way we protect our heritage in Wales. The outcome of this work will feed into the development of a new Heritage Protection Bill. We are interested in hearing what is important to you. Drop in to the following events at any time between 10:30 and 3:00 to discuss with Cadw your views on the future of heritage protection. Cadw will be giving a short overview of progress to date at 11:00 and 2:00, but people will be at hand at all times to discuss the future of the protection of the historic environment in Wales. 24 October, Heol Awst Chapel, Lammas Street, Carmarthen 8 November, Guildhall, Brecon 20 November, Guildhall, Conwy http://cadw.wales.gov.uk/about/news/6624590/?lang=en MUSEUMS ASSOCIATION Museums Association Reviews Fellowship The MA is reviewing the Fellowship of the Museums Association (FMA), a high level professional development award and level of membership to the Museums Association. The FMA recognises and encourages an advanced level of professional contribution, development and achievement by people in all areas of museum work. Entry to the FMA was suspended in 2010 and the Museums Association is now seeking to review and refresh it. http://tinyurl.com/c4t2vad ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT MUSEUMS AIM e-survey on visitor numbers - September 2012 AIM Council invites you to take part in the latest AIM e-survey - on visitor numbers 2012. It is very short - only 5 questions - and should take less than three minutes to complete. Your answers will be anonymous. The results will be published in the AIM Bulletin, and we hope this will help members discover more about the experiences of other independent museums. Our first e-survey on this subject was very successful and useful, and was published in the AIM Bulletin, December 2011 issue. To complete the survey, please click on this link and answer the five questions. https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/AIMQuickSurvey2012 PROMOTING MUSEUMS Launch of International Museum Day 2013 The theme of the International Museum Day, that will be celebrated around May 18, 2013, will be Museums (memory + creativity) = social change. The rich heritage, which museums both display and protect, is associated with inventiveness and vitality, both of which have characterized the museum sector in recent years and are museums' greatest strengths. http://tinyurl.com/cmdxvnx COLLECTIONS Reduced Conference Fee Secured for CL Members A reduced registration fee has been secured by the Collections Trust for Collections Link members wishing to attend the European Registrars Conference <http://cts.vresp.com/c/?CollectionsTrust/f228e8de15/c9f780c30d/dbebe2399f> in Edinburgh on 4-6 November 2012. Those registering before Friday 5 October and quoting 121101EB will qualify for the Earlybird rate. This provides a £50 saving for museum professionals and £100 off the commercial rate. The bi-annual conference has a Think Smart! theme and a comprehensive programme. It also features a Marketplace and Expert Hot Spot. Online registration is available on the event's website. http://tinyurl.com/bu67r4g DOCUMENTATION, DIGITISATION AND ICT Survey Report on Digitisation in European Cultural Heritage Institutions 2012 The Survey Report on Digitisation in Cultural Heritage Institutions 2012 represents the first major study into the current state of digitisation in Europe. It is the result of a survey carried out by the ENUMERATE Thematic Network. About 2000 institutions answered the open call to participate between January and March 2012. http://www.ne-mo.org/ http://tinyurl.com/7w98kwz (direct link to PDF) Save the date, and first Call for Papers for UK Museums on the Web - London, 30 November 2012 The Committee of the Museums Computer Group is excited to announce that our annual conference Museums on the Web - UKMW12 - will be held at the Wellcome Collection in London on 30 November 2012. The theme for UKMW12 is 'strategically digital'. The conference will be an opportunity to take a step back from the everyday and think strategically about the impact of the digital revolution on your museum and on the sector as a whole. We are interested in proposals on topics such as: - Digitally enabling the modern museum and its staff; - Sustaining the digital agenda and the realities of digital strategies and organisational change; - The complexities of digital engagement and the impact of social media on audience expectations; - Relevant case studies that situate digital projects within organisational strategic objectives, or papers that draw actionable lessons from an overview of the national and international heritage sector. We look forward to reading your proposals. Please don't hesitate to contact us via twitter (@ukmcg) or [log in to unmask] if you have any questions or comments. http://tinyurl.com/bplxovl EVENTS Building for Success: The Highs and Lows of Capital Projects - Birmingham, 10 October 2012 The meeting will introduce delegates to the practical considerations of devising, delivering and evaluating capital projects, inviting colleagues from around the region to share their experiences and tips on how to avoid typical pitfalls. http://www.midlands.specialistnetwork.org.uk/ixbin/indexplus?record=ART735 http://www.eventelephant.com/buildingforsuccess TRAINING AND CONFERENCES Cast Iron Interpretation - Merthyr Tydfil, 27-28 November Using Cyfarthfa Ironworks as our case-study, two days of practical workshops will guide you through the interpretive planning process to enable you to deliver truly effective and memorable interpretation that helps people explore, understand and appreciate the places they visit and you manage. The training course will also help to familiarize you with the ambitious and innovative pan-Wales interpretation planning approach and explain how it can benefit your interpretive planning projects and open up opportunities for tourism and regeneration. http://www.ahi.org.uk/www/events/event_details/70/ Capturing the social and economic value of cultural heritage: Perspectives and projects from across Europe - Norwich, 14-16 November. Can cultural heritage improve cities and regions, boost the educational and life prospects of citizens, and have a role to play in urban regeneration? The answer is yes, and at a time of economic austerity creative cities and cultural leaders are finding new ways to work together. The conference is aimed at practitioners and academics working` in heritage, culture, tourism, regeneration, planning and community organisations. http://www.shaping24.eu/conference Arts Marketing Essentials Following the success of last year's Arts Marketing Essentials training workshops, Audiences Wales will be running an updated Core Skills Programme and a new Enhanced Skills Programme of workshops that will begin later this year. The Core Skills Programme is suitable for anyone new to arts marketing or at an early stage in their career. Core Skills workshops will include an introduction to marketing, social media, media relations, research and marketing planning. The Enhanced Skills Programme is suitable for anyone in the first few years of a marketing management role or wanting to build their skills for a management role. Enhanced Skills workshops will include branding, social media, marketing management, research skills and advanced marketing planning. http://www.audienceswales.co.uk/public/news.cfm?&subItemId=1 WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT Help us to find the next Short Course and Emerging Leader participants! Applications for the Short Courses are now open and we would like your help in our search for the next group of participants. Do you know somebody who has at least 5 years' experience of leading in the cultural sector? It doesn't matter whether they're leading teams, projects, departments or an organisation, but we need them to be ambitious for themselves and the sector with a desire to enhance their existing leadership skills. If you know of someone like that who is also prepared to challenge any pre-conceptions about leadership and stretch themselves on an intensive two-week residential course then please can you forward the information. The next short course will take place at: Eynsham Hall, Oxfordshire, 4-15 February 2013 We are also looking for people who are keen to develop their leadership potential and to challenge themselves who are motivated and are passionate about the cultural sector to take part in our Emerging Leaders Course. The course is aimed at early stage arts professionals with between 2 - 5 years' experience of managing projects and people in the cultural sector, who are either already in leadership positions or have the potential to lead in the future. The course provides a great opportunity to learn and practice leadership skills in a challenging but supportive environment and to network with people from a broad range of sectors. The next Emerging Leaders course will take place at: Craxton Wood, Chester 17-22 March 2013. http://www.cloreleadership.org ACCESS, LIFELONG LEARNING AND SOCIAL INCLUSION Call for Volunteers Want to join our team? Kids in Museums is looking for volunteers in Wales. Kids in Museums works with museums to make them more welcoming of young people, children and families, in particular those who have never visited before. We are currently recruiting part time volunteers to help with our projects in Wales. Volunteers are highly valued within the organisation - Kids in Museums volunteers recently won an award for innovation around the Takeover Day initiative, an annual day on which museums are taken over by young people .If you'd like to be involved, please email [log in to unmask] with your CV and tell us a bit about yourself. http://www.kidsinmuseums.org.uk HEALTH AND SAFETY Disclosure and barring A new set of information leaflets explaining the changes in CRB checks is available from the Home Office for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The changes come into force in September. There is also a Welsh language version of the information. http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/crime/disclosure-and-barring/ FUNDING AND AWARDS Wellcome Trust Arts Awards Arts Awards support imaginative and experimental arts projects that investigate biomedical science. The scheme aims to: - stimulate interest, excitement and debate about biomedical science through the arts - examine the social, cultural and ethical contexts of biomedical science - encourage new ways of thinking - promote high-quality interdisciplinary practice and collaborations between arts, science and education practice - support formal and informal learning. The scheme is open to a wide range of people, including artists, scientists, curators, film makers, writers, producers, directors, academics, science communicators, teachers, arts workers and education officers. http://tinyurl.com/2aaezef CHARITIES AND VOLUNTEERS Learning Zone for Sustainable Funding Cymru Our online courses have been created to help organisations diversify their funding mix and become financially sustainable. Courses cover a range of income sources from charitable donations at one end through to grants, contracts, and trading goods and services at the other. We also help organisations understand why planning, organisational skills and development are vital in achieving financial sustainability. http://sfclearningzone.org.uk/ New tips for trustees on reserves policies New tips to ensure trustees explain their reserves policy have been released by the Charity Commission in Charities and Reserves CC19. Charities are encouraged to have a reserves policy and to explain it clearly in the annual report. Many charities do not explain clearly enough why they hold reserves and under which circumstances they may be used. Charity law requires charities to spend income within a reasonable period of time. Case studies of charities' approach to reserves, together with practical tips, are included. http://www.charitycommission.gov.uk/Publications/cc19.aspx WCVA training September 2012- March 2013 If there's a gap in your skills, or those of your volunteers or employees, our new training programme can help. Our wide range of pan-Wales courses can help you find and manage funding, run your organisation more efficiently and develop your abilities. We cover subjects from legacy giving to contract management and writing competitive tenders to marketing - and as each course is delivered by people who work in the sector, they're passionate and knowledgeable on their subjects, and committed to passing on their know-how to you. You're sure to find something that can really benefit both you and your organisation. http://www.wcva.org.uk/training/dsp_training.cfm?0=0&display_sitetextid=125 PUBLICATIONS AND RESEARCH Survey of Cultural Organisations The University of Cambridge's Centre for Business Research (CBR) is inviting representatives of the museums, galleries and heritage sector to respond to a survey of cultural organisations funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council. Researchers are hoping to gain a greater understanding how the cultural sector interacts with other organisations, such as universities, as well as assessing the wider contributions of cultural bodies to the UK economy and society. https://jbs.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_40Yxo0r5VCSoxwx The use of Structural Funds for Cultural Projects" report The study on "The use of Structural Funds for Cultural Projects" shows the importance of Structural Funds (SFs) in European cities, regions and countries developing their economy and improving their social fabric through culture. It highlights the breadth of the impact of cultural investment ranging from urban regeneration, social cohesion, jobs and entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, heritage preservation, education and tourism. http://www.keanet.eu/docs/structuralfundsstudy.pdf Museums international - let's share what we know Working internationally can only benefit your organisation - sharing that experience will boost the wider sector. In May 2012, the National Museums Directors' Council (NMDC) published a short paper entitled World Collections, which illustrated the breadth and impact of our members' international work. We wanted to show that working internationally has become business as usual for many museums, and that there's a huge variety and depth of engagement taking place. http://tinyurl.com/cejf7ao NEWS - WALES JMW Turner: National Museum Cardiff's paintings 'genuine' Three oil paintings deemed fakes and locked away for half a century have been found to be genuine works by landscape artist JMW Turner. The oils were left to the National Museum Wales in 1951 by Gwendoline and Margaret Davies of Llandinam, Powys, but discounted in 1956. Curator Beth McIntyre said the works had "gone from being worth thousands to being worth millions". http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-19698006 Welsh cricket museum opens at Swalec Stadium, Cardiff The Museum of Welsh Cricket, at the home of Glamorgan County Cricket Club at the Swalec Stadium in Cardiff, opens its doors to the public later. It is the first sport-specific museum to open in Wales and the displays will also show how cricket is the oldest team game in the country. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-19710981 NEWS - ENGLAND Northampton museum may sell £2m found Egyptian statue A museum in Northampton is considering selling a limestone Egyptian statue after it was valued at £2m during a recent insurance inspection. The statue of Sekhemka, a court official, has now been removed from the Central Museum and placed into secure storage at an undisclosed destination. The town's borough council is looking to use money from a sale to invest in other local heritage projects. A spokesman said the artefact "doesn't help tell the story of the town". The statue's future will be considered by a cabinet meeting in September. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-19311048 Ethics Committee Advises Northampton The Museums Association's Ethics Committee has issued advice to Northampton Borough Council on its proposal to sell an Egyptian funerary monument from the collections of Northampton Museum and Art Gallery. http://tinyurl.com/bqtknqu Black Country Living Museum plans 70 job losses The Black Country Living Museum has said it plans to cut up to 70 jobs because of falling visitor numbers. Under proposals to save £250,000 a year the museum will also close for two days a week during the winter. Chief Executive Andrew Lovett said visitor numbers were down about 40,000 on what he had expected this year. "Being mainly self funding we have to earn almost everything we need to run, so any downturn in people visiting has a significant impact," he said. From next year the museum will also lose a £70,000 a year grant from Dudley Council. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-19535750 Wenlok Jug returned to museum after theft A 14th Century jug has been returned to a Luton museum after it was stolen. The Wenlok jug, worth £750,000, was taken from Stockwood Discovery centre in May. It was recovered by Bedfordshire Police in the early hours of 24 September at a property in Tadworth, Surrey. Two people were arrested. Director of Museums Karen Perkins said any damage to the jug was being assessed and security improved before it went back on display. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-19742452 NEWS - INTERNATIONAL Rijksmuseum to reopen after a decade Amsterdam's famous Rijksmuseum, home to Rembrandt's The Night Watch, will reopen to the public in April 2013, after a 10-year closure. The museum shut its doors in 2003, as part of 375m Euro project to restore and modernise the main building. It was scheduled to re-open in 2008, but the refurbishment has been beset by problems, including the discovery of asbestos and a redirected cycling path. It is hoped annual attendance will double following the renovations. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-19517742 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 CyMAL: Amgueddfeydd Archifau a Llyfrgelloedd Cymru - CyMAL: Museums Archives and Libraries Wales Llywodraeth Cymru - Welsh Government Rhodfa Padarn, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3UR. Ffon/Tel: 0300 062 2101 Fax/Ffacs: 0300 062 2052 e-bost/e-mail: [log in to unmask]