CyMAL: Museums Archives and Libraries Wales
Museums Current Awareness Service - Bulletin 134
Information about the Museums Current Awareness Service can be found on CyMAL’s pages on the Welsh Government website.
http://www.wales.gov.uk/cymal
WELSH GOVERNMENT
St David Awards - Celebrating and recognising the extraordinary achievements of people in Wales.
The St David Awards will be given to people who are not simply doing their jobs, but rather those who doing exceptional things and making a real difference to the quality of life in Wales. They will celebrate and recognise inspirational people making a difference for our country, either at home or on the international stage. They reflect and promote the aspirations of Wales and its citizens to be a modern, vibrant country, with a growing reputation as a confident and clever nation valuing innovation, community spirit, and above all its people.
There are 9 St David Awards:
1. St David Award for Bravery
2. St David Award for Citizenship
3. St David Award for Culture
4. St David Award for Enterprise
5. St David Award for Innovation & Technology
6. St David International Award
7. St David Award for Sport
8. St David Young Person’s Award
9. First Minister's Special St David Award
The first St David Awards Ceremony will be held in Cardiff on Thursday 13 March 2014. You will be able to submit nominations for yourself or people you consider worthy of receiving an Award from Tuesday 10 September 2013 until Tuesday 5 November 2013. To get further information and guidance please email [log in to unmask]
http://wales.gov.uk/about/firstminister/st-david-awards/?lang=en
Stronger part for Culture and Heritage in tackling poverty
Speaking before his visit to the National Eisteddfod in Denbigh the Minster for Culture and Sport outlined how bodies can work closer together to help more people in some of the most disadvantaged areas of Wales access and take part in the arts, culture and historic environment. The Minister has asked Baroness Kay Andrews OBE to produce a report that will make recommendations on how organisations can work better together to meet this aim. It will also outline how bodies can develop stronger links with anti-poverty schemes such as the Welsh Government’s Communities First programme.
http://wales.gov.uk/newsroom/cultureandsport/2013/7689587/?lang=en
The future delivery of education services in Wales
This consultation seeks views on the options put forward in the report on the future delivery of education services in Wales.
http://wales.gov.uk/consultations/education/future-delivery-of-education-services-in-wales/
VISIT WALES
Wales Tourism Advisory Board
We are currently appointing Members to the Wales Tourism Advisory Board. The Board is looking for applicants who have a wide range of experience and skills relevant to the field of tourism. The core task of the Board is to monitor and advise Ministers on delivery against the new 2013-14 Tourism Strategy and its Action Plan. Closing date 6 September 2013.
MUSEUMS ASSOCIATION
Advertise your courses, conference and training events
The Museums Association is offering a new free system for museum organisations to add their courses, conferences training events for the sector.
http://www.museumsassociation.org/find-an-event
ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT MUSEUMS
Latest AIM Success Guide launched
AIM has launched its latest Success Guide, Successful Governance in Independent Museums. The guide covers definitions of governance; the structure of governing bodies; trustees’ duties; board composition; the relationship between governance and management; the roles of the chair and the secretary; and a look at what makes a successful and an unsuccessful board of trustees.
http://www.aim-museums.co.uk/content/success_guides/.
Conference Papers
The AIM Conference past presentations are a valuable tool to those who wanted to glean more from the Conference and those who were unable to attend. The past papers form 2013 and 2012 Conference's are available as PDF's to download
http://www.aim-museums.co.uk/content/conference_papers/
PROMOTING MUSEUMS
Museums Marketing Strategy for Wales
The Museums Marketing Strategy for Wales has been produced as part of CyMAL and the national Steering Group's delivery against the objectives of the Museums Strategy for Wales 2010 - 2015. It is written for everyone involved in working in museums or in partnership with them including tourism and educational organisations. Its aim is to support all these individuals and organisations to work together to improve marketing of museums and raise the number and range of visitors using them.
If you would like a copy of the Full Version, Executive Summary, Appendices or for a Welsh copy of any of the documents please contact the Marketing Project Officer - Nicola Williams: 01978 298857, [log in to unmask]
Free Connect10 briefing sessions this September!
Team Museums at Night are heading out on tour, bringing three FREE morning briefing sessions to London, Birmingham and Bradford. These free, friendly briefings are for anyone working in a museum, gallery, historic house or other cultural institution. Whether or not you’ve run a Museums at Night event before, if you’re interested in taking part in the 2014 Museums at Night festival and/or entering the Connect10 competition to win an artist-led event and £2000, please come along! Find out about the benefits and challenges involved in hosting an after-hours event, the advantages of working together with other venues and what it takes to be a Connect10 winner. Please note that delegates from Wales are welcome to attend these events.
The three sessions are:
London: Monday 23 September, at the Jewish Museum, 9:45 – 13:00
Birmingham: Thursday 26 September, at Winterbourne House, 9:45 – 13:00
Bradford: Friday 27 September, at the National Media Museum, 9:45 – 13:00
http://tinyurl.com/o8wlgmd
COLLECTIONS
Major new security resource now live on Collections Link
The new Security Resources section of the Collections Link website is now live. Its content has been extensively reviewed and updated to provide a unique, comprehensive, and practical collection of resources. This comprehensive resource provides museums of all sizes with free information and essential guidance about how to improve security and better protect their collections.
http://www.collectionslink.org.uk/security
Archiving the arts
Archiving the arts is an initiative from The National Archives to ensure that the records of art in the UK are well cared for and accessible, and that their value is recognised, both by the people who look after them and by the wider public. We believe arts archives are important because the information in these records can tell us:
- how individual art works were created and give an insight into the creative process
- how art has been received by audiences over the years and how thinking about works has changed
- how art has been viewed, valued and preserved
- how art works have inspired new generations of artists
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/archives-sector/archiving-the-arts.htm
DOCUMENTATION, DIGITISATION AND ICT
Digital arts in Wales: now is the time for investing and experimenting
Most of us are happy with the concept that change for change's sake isn't necessarily a good idea. Our reasons for instigating change have to come from some sort of prompt; whether as a result of research or feedback, there has to be a trigger for action, or some form of inspiration that drives the need for change. Understanding which prompts to follow and what they might mean is key to any organisation's decision making process. Those around the use of digital technology are no exception and, in Wales, there are some pertinent prompts suggesting that now is the time for arts organisations to invest in their digital future.
TRAINING AND CONFERENCES
AHI Conference 2013: Interpretation - gaining inspiration from other fields - Edinburgh 9 - 11 October 2013
Interpretation both gains inspiration from other fields and contributes to their success. Come to Edinburgh to hear from leading practitioners, academics and businesses about the interplay between interpretation and fields such as retail, business planning, marketing, communications, branding and the Arts.
http://www.ahi.org.uk/www/events/event_details/74/
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Creative Apprenticeships for Heritage Employers
Creative & Cultural Skills are supporting museums, galleries and heritage venues in Wales to take on apprentices. We can help with each step of employing an apprentice including; identifying job roles, finding a training provider, advertising and free mentoring training. We can even employ an apprentice on your behalf. Financial support of up to £3,900 is also available for eligible apprentice employers through the Welsh Government’s Young Recruits programme. Creative Apprenticeship courses start in September 2013 and January 2014. To find out more about taking on a Creative Apprentice contact: Dienka Hines, Apprenticeship Manager Wales, Creative & Cultural Skills. Email: [log in to unmask], Phone: 02920 444 195
ACCESS, LIFELONG LEARNING AND SOCIAL INCLUSION
Equality and Inclusion Grant 2014-2017
The new Equality and Inclusion Grant 2014-17 is now open for applications from third sector organisations. We are inviting charities and third sector groups to apply for up to £1.6 million of funding for projects that tackle inequality and discrimination and help make Wales a fairer place. The deadline for applications is midnight Thursday 31 October 2013.
http://wales.gov.uk/topics/equality/funding/equalities-inclusion-grant-2014-2017/
FUNDING AND AWARDS
Gift Aid and digital giving
This consultation seeks views on how intermediaries might collect Gift Aid on behalf of charities and how to improve the declaration wording.
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/gift-aid-and-digital-giving
CHARITIES AND VOLUNTEERS
Help for small charities
In 2011 the Institute of Fundraising secured funding from the Office for Civil Society to support small charities based in England to fundraise more effectively. The three year project supports small and localised organisations at grassroots level with an annual income of £1 million or less. The project also works with groups supporting marginalised, vulnerable and socially excluded individuals to support them develop their fundraising career. Our programme of activity includes face to face training, online learning, mentoring, and a toolkit. (NB. Though the project was for charities in England, the resources may also be useful for charities on Wales.)
http://www.institute-of-fundraising.org.uk/events-and-training/help-for-small-charities/
Gimme, Gimme, Gimme! A guide for organisations new to fundraising or just starting out raising money
This document is written because as government cuts begin to bite and the fragile economic climate continues, more and more organisations are looking at fundraising as a way of helping their financial situation.
http://www.institute-of-fundraising.org.uk/library/gimme-gimme-gimme/
PUBLICATIONS AND RESEARCH
Measuring Museum Impacts
The publication contains the results of the research undertaken by the European funded project The Learning Museum, on the subject of impact evaluation in museums. The aim is to provide a general overview on the main issues concerning the different kinds of impact evaluation in the museum sector - economic, educational, social, relational, environmental - but also practical information and guidelines.
Economic impact of UK heritage tourism economy 2013
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has requested that Oxford Economics update their 2010 report on the economic impact of the UK heritage tourism industry using the latest available data. This study quantified the scale of economic activity associated with heritage-based tourism in the UK. The research shows that heritage-based tourism is now worth £26.4billion to the UK economy - £5.8bn higher than the previous estimate published in 2010.
http://www.hlf.org.uk/aboutus/howwework/Pages/EconomicHeritageTourism2013.aspx
Museum visitors 20% more likely to report good health
A study by the Scottish government has for the first time established a clear and consistent link between culture, good health and high life satisfaction. Based on data from the Scottish Household Survey 2011, the Healthy Attendance? report found that people who participate in culture or attend cultural places and events were more likely to report good health and life satisfaction.
http://tinyurl.com/lawutzs
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/0043/00430649.pdf (direct link to report)
NEWS - WALES
Brecknock Museum and Art Gallery wins £2.5m lottery funds
Plans to refurbish a museum and art gallery in Brecon have won nearly £2.5m from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) four years after a previous bid failed. Grade II-listed Brecknock Museum and Art Gallery is regarded as one of the finest examples of early Victorian Greek revival architecture in Wales, says HLF. The council-owned building houses one of the largest art collections in Powys. The improvements funded by the HLF money will form part of wider £8.4m plans for a cultural and community hub and new library in Brecon town centre.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-mid-wales-23500900
http://www.hlf.org.uk/news/Pages/BrecknockMuseumFull.aspx
Mold Gold Cape on display at Wrexham Museum
A ceremonial Bronze Age gold cape which was discovered in Flintshire 180 years ago is on display in Wrexham. The Mold Gold Cape, thought to have been a woman's, was last shown at Wrexham Museum in 2005, when it attracted 11,500 visitors in 12 weeks. It was made about 3,700 years ago from a single sheet of gold. Also on show is the 4,000-year-old "Lady of Llong" necklace, made of shale and jet, discovered close to where the cape was buried. The cape is one of the British Museum's most prized artefacts, but it has been loaned out and was displayed in Cardiff between July and early August.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-23606310
Oriel Ynys Môn brings Venice to Wales
Drawn to the Light – Kyffin Williams and Venice, a special exhibition to celebrate the 5th anniversary of the opening of Oriel Kyffin Williams, will explore the relationship between Anglesey artist Kyffin Williams and the famous Italian city, and will bring works by masters such as Monet, Canaletto, and Guardi to Anglesey for the very first time. Alongside work from the collections of the British Museum, The National Gallery, Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales and The National Library, several Venetian scenes by Kyffin Williams from private collections will help explain the special connection between the artist more familiar with the wild beauty of the Anglesey coastline than the canals of Venice. The exhibition runs until 2nd February 2014.
NEWS - SCOTLAND
Dundee's V&A museum given planning permission
The first V&A museum to be constructed outside London has been given approval by planners. The £45m project was granted planning permission by the city council's development management committee. It is set to transform Dundee's waterfront area. Project bosses said construction of the museum was likely to start next summer, with the main fabric of the building in place by the end of 2015.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-23690194
NEWS - INTERNATIONAL
Every Cat Has Its Day: Hermitage Museum’s Mouse Catchers Are Immortalized in Portraits
While it might seem risky to keep dozens of cats near some of the world’s most precious pieces of art, cats are regarded as treasured guardians of the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia, patrolling the basement for mice and rats and treated like furry royalty by doting staff members. The museum even holds an annual Day of the Hermitage Cat to honor its army of felines, members of which have now been immortalized in the rich dress of imperial court servants in portraits commissioned for publication by the Hermitage Magazine, which is published by the museum’s Hermitage XXI Century Foundation.
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 Cymru - Welsh Government
Rhodfa Padarn,
Aberystwyth,
Ceredigion,
SY23 3UR.
Ffon/Tel: 0300 062 2101
Fax/Ffacs: 0300 062 2052
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