WMMD Newsletter July 2017
Contents:- West Midlands Museum Development Update
- West Midlands Museum Development Events
- News
- Other Events
- Opportunities
West Midlands Museum Development Update
West Midlands Museum Development The team is thrilled that Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust has been successful in its application to ACE to deliver the Museum Development programme for 2018 - 2022. Arts Council England (ACE) announced a £24 million investment in museums as part of their National Portfolio in the Midlands. A full list of organisations can be found
here. Congratulations to all West Midlands museums who have joined the portfolio. Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust has reached the finals in the Heritage Section of the National Lottery Awards and would love your vote to help them win. Please click here to vote.
Small Grants Scheme, Audience Development
Inside Out: Engaging Audiences with Collections West Midlands Museum Development (WMMD) is offering grants of up to £3000 to support museums to engage and develop their audiences through direct use of their collections outside of their museum venue.
Grants will support museums to raise the profile of key or significant collection items through audience engagement opportunities beyond the museum site. Museums are expected to prioritise collections currently in store, or which have limited public access. Wherever possible the scheme encourages museums to visit sites or events with opportunities to engage with audiences who do not traditionally visit the museum venue. Funding can support a range of activity, for example, temporary or ‘pop-up’ exhibitions, outreach or handling activities, audience consultation events, first time visits to new local or community events, pilot projects with new user groups but must include use of the museum collections. The grant can be used to support a larger project as long as this meets the criteria. All projects must be completed by 15 March 2018. Closing date for applications: 5pm, Friday 11 August 2017. Please read the guidance below before requesting an application form. If you have any questions please contact Charlotte Edwards.
Applications forms are available from your Museum Development Officer or email wmmd@ironbridge.org.uk
West Midlands Volunteer Awards Valuing your VolunteersThis is your opportunity to nominate a volunteer or group of volunteers to share their story; it is a chance to give back to those who give so generously, caring for the region’s cultural heritage. Key dates:
Nominations close 5pm, Monday 31 July
Shortlist announced Friday 11 August
Awards Ceremony Tuesday 19 September The Awards are part of Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust’s Major Partner Museum and WMMD programme funded through ACE. The West Midlands Volunteer Awards were established to recognise and reward the invaluable work and significant contribution made by volunteers to the museum sector.
'We're All Stories in the End' UpdateWe are almost approaching the end of our collaborative Grants for the Arts project, supported through funding from ACE. We have seen some amazing outcomes so far. Click here
to read what has been happening and to find out about future performances.
Secret MuseumsWant to know what your museum looks like through the eyes of the next generation?
Secret Museums is a mystery shopper programme co-created by young people (16-25 years) who will carry out ‘Secret Visits’ to six museums in the West Midlands. Young people will feedback their feelings and ideas based on their experiences with the aim to improve the heritage experience for other young people. This is a WMMD project in partnership with the Beatfreeks Collective. Successful museums will receive: - One ‘Secret Visit’ from young people (16-25years) between September and November
- Insights and direct
feedback from the young people at a sharing event on Wednesday 8 November
- Top level report of the programme provided by the Beatfreeks Collective
To apply for a visit please complete an application form and return to wmmd@ironbridge.org.uk no later than 5pm, Monday 11 September.
Good Housekeeping: In House Collections Care TrainingWMMD is working with Jane Thompson-Webb, Conservation Team Leader at Birmingham Museum Trust to deliver three collections care training sessions in museums across the West Midlands region.This is a great opportunity to host training in your museum for your staff and volunteers whether they work directly with collections, as trustees, as part of the front of house
or learning teams or in administration. The training can be used as a refresher, as an opportunity to learn new skills or as a more in-depth session on a particular subject area. Expression of Interest forms to be submitted by 17 July. If you have any questions please email Helen Johnson.
Collections Care Skills Sharing ProgrammeDo you have a collections management skill that you could share with colleagues from other museums? Are you looking for an opportunity to develop a skill in a particular area of collections care? Maybe the new WMMD Collections Skills Dating Service can help.WMMD are offering a ‘dating service’ to bring museums together to support skills development and in the
process provide an extra pair of hands (or two) to help on the ground with discreet collections care projects or tasks. If you have any questions please email Helen Johnson. See the Opportunities section for host organisations offering a skills opportunity and for skill seekers wishing to develop a new skill.
Exciting Opportunity - Museums Association ConferenceWMMD is offering individuals the opportunity to apply for eight single day tickets to the Museums Association conference on 16 and 17 November in Manchester.Further details of the Museums Association conference, including the conference guide can be found
here. To apply individuals must complete the application form
outlining which day of the conference they would like to attend and why this will benefit their museum and help support their own individual professional development. This opportunity is open to all individuals from Accredited museums and those officially Working Towards Accreditation in the West Midlands region. Closing date 5pm Friday 29 September.
WMMD EventsSetting the StandardsIs your museum an inclusive workplace?
Are you doing everything you should to embed a positive approach to Equality and Diversity?
Do you understand your legal responsibilities?Roots HR CIC will be leading a series of four workshops exploring the role of museums to embed Equality and Diversity within their workplace, including their legal responsibilities. These events are suitable for anyone involved in the management or recruitment of paid staff or volunteers.4 October - Setting the Standards: Equality and Diversity in Volunteering
10am-4pm, Museum of Carpet, KidderminsterDelegates will gain an understanding of how volunteers are protected by equality law, the responsibilities they have for what volunteers do when representing the museum and how they might promote equality and diversity through volunteer recruitment and management. 14 November - Setting the Standards: Equality and Diversity Policy
10am-4pm, The Pen Museum, BirminghamThis workshop will explore the moral and legal case for equality and diversity within the workplace, supporting delegates to understand how effective and relevant policies can support them in meeting their responsibilities to create an inclusive workplace. Full details of these workshops and how to book them can be found along with all our upcoming events in the WMMD events section. The final two workshops in the series will be 7 December 2017 and
8 February 2018. Details to follow.
Volunteer PortalThe regional Volunteer Portal is
live. The portal offers Accredited museums and those officially Working Towards Accreditation the opportunity to advertise for volunteers. Please click below if you would like to register your museum. You don't need to have any current opportunities to register.
Resourceswww.mdwm.org.uk/resources has a wide range of resources drawn from our programme and workshops which can be accessed by Accredited museums and those officially Working Towards. If you would like to access these resources please email
wmmd@ironbridge.org.uk for a password.
West Midlands Museum Development Events
19 July - Arts Award: Sharing Best Practice10.30am - 12.30pm, Coventry Transport Museum CV1 1JDThis event aims to share examples of best practice from the region in Arts Award delivery. We also want to hear from new and existing Arts Award Advisors; what you have been able to achieve so far and if there is any further support you require? Speakers
include: - Nicky McIntosh, Schools Project Manager, Culture Coventry whose team carries out regular Arts Award activities. There will be an opportunity for you to experience an Arts Award trail created for Coventry Transport Museum. Nicky will be able to share her experience and valuable insights into Arts Award delivery
- Helen Frost, Programme Developer Arts Award and Artsmark, Arts Connect who will be on hand to answer questions about Arts Award and to update you on the Arts Award Grant scheme
Teas, coffee and cake will be provided at this FREE event.
4 October - Setting the Standards: Equality and Diversity in Volunteering10am-4pm, Museum of Carpet, Kidderminster DY10 1AZThe first workshop in a series of four, Roots HR CIC will be exploring the need for museums to embed Equality and Diversity within their workplace, including their legal responsibilities. Roots HR specialise in working with social sector
organisations such as charities and voluntary organisations. These events are suitable for anyone involved in the management or recruitment of paid staff or volunteers. This workshop will explore Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in the workplace, and how this relates to volunteers. Delegates will gain an understanding of how volunteers are protected by equality law, the responsibilities they have for what volunteers do when representing the museum and how they might promote equality and diversity through volunteer recruitment and management. By the end of this workshop delegates will: - Understand what we mean by 'equality',
'diversity' and 'inclusion' within the workplace and the difference between each
- Understand the protection volunteers have in equality law
- Understand the benefits of equality and diversity in volunteering
- Have an awareness of how to promote equality and diversity in volunteering including recruiting and managing volunteers
- Understand their responsibility for what their volunteers do
In addition you will receive access to free online resources published after the training including: - Guidance notes
- Template Volunteer Agreement that can be tailored for your museum
Refreshments and lunch will be provided at this free event. Dates for the next three workshops: 14 November, 7 December and 8 February
19 October - Exceeding Visitor Expectations9.30am – 5.15pm, The National Brewery Centre, Burton upon Trent DE14 1NGDue to the popularity of our customer service event in February we are delighted to announce that we will be hosting a full day of the Exceeding Visitor Expectations workshop. This is a one-day customer service course designed specifically
for front-line staff combining the expertise of VisitEngland’s Visitor Attraction Quality Scheme and the experience of the renowned Welcome to Excellence training programmes. Participants will discover everything they need to know about being an ambassador for their venue and delivering great service to visitors. The course features a variety of activities and quizzes and is supported by a participant guide that can be taken away and used as a customer service resource. It is brimming full of practical tips and learning point reminders on how to make your visitors feel really special. Those who successfully complete the training will receive Welcome to Excellence and VisitEngland pin badges, and an attendance certificate. Exceeding Visitor Expectations meets national standards for customer service delivery and there is an option for your staff to gain a City and Guilds Level 2 Award by taking a multiple choice assessment paper at the end of the training day. Places are limited and this will be the only opportunity to attend in this financial year.
14 November - Setting the Standards: Equality and Diversity Policy10am - 4pm, The Pen Museum, Birmingham B1 3HSThe second workshop in a series of four, Roots HR CIC will be exploring the need for museums to embed Equality and Diversity within their workplace, including their legal responsibilities. Roots HR specialise in working with social sector organisations
such as charities and voluntary organisations. These events are suitable for anyone involved in the management or recruitment of paid staff or volunteers. This workshop will explore the moral and legal case for equality and diversity within the workplace, supporting delegates to understand how effective and relevant policies can support them in meeting their responsibilities to create an inclusive workplace. By the end of this workshop delegates will: - Understand what is meant by 'equality', 'diversity' and 'inclusion' within the workplace and the difference between each
- Understand the case for equality and diversity in the workplace
- Have an awareness of the legal requirements within the area of equality, in particular the Equality Act 2010 and the implications this has on policy development
- Understand the key requirements for an effective equality and diversity policy, including scope, responsibilities and reporting concerns
- Have an awareness of how to implement and embed an equality and diversity policy
In addition you will receive access to free online resources published after the training including: - Guidance notes
- Template outline policy that can be tailored for your museum
Refreshments and lunch will be provided at this free event. Dates for the other three workshops: 4 October, 7 December and 8 February
22 November - Collections Knowledge Café: Caring for Works on Paper10am - 4pm, Wolverhampton City Archives WV1 1SFDo you have books, watercolours, posters, documents or printed material in your collection? Join conservator Graeme Storey (Britton and Storey Art Conservation) for a workshop on caring for works on paper, what to look out for, how to prevent damage
occurring and what to do about it if it does. The day will include a tour of the Wolverhampton Archives. Click below to book your place on this free event, lunch and refreshments are provided.
28 November - Open to Interpretation10am - 4pm, Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, Coalbrookdale TF8 7DQWMMD will present an exciting day of creative and practical workshops exploring affordable opportunities to refresh exhibition interpretation and engage with a wider range of audiences. Fab Lab in Ironbridge is an open resource which allows users to design
and create using a variety of equipment including laser cutters, 3D printers and vinyl cutters. The Fab Lab team will demonstrate how the equipment can be used to create simple museum interactives and interpretation. Participants will complete a practical activity and leave with a finished item. Take a tour of the newly reopened Museum of Iron with Curator Gillian Crumpton, exploring the exhibition's use of layered interpretation. Becki Morris, Collections Assistant for Heritage and Culture Warwickshire and representative for Disability Cooperative Network (DCN) will lead a practical workshop supporting delegates to understand neurodiversity and identify the potential social barriers individuals may encounter when visiting museums. The session will explore
opportunities for low cost inclusive practice. Mandy Ross, author of ‘The Children’s History of Birmingham’ has a wealth of experience in writing for children and young people. Mandy will guide participants through the process of drawing out captivating stories from collections and spaces to create engaging interpretation for younger visitors. Lunch and refreshments will be provided at this free event.
7 August - Collections Moves: A Case Study10am - 1pm, The British Museum WC1B 3DGBooking is now open for a free collections skills sharing session using a recent emergency decant as a case study for collections moves. The session is for people working or volunteering within the museum and heritage sector, with travel bursaries available for those who might otherwise not be able to attend thanks to the support
of the Heritage Lottery Fund. Tickets are free, but booking is essential.
31 August - Get what you give? The value and benefits of proactively lending collections9.30am - 5pm, The British Museum WC1B 3DGThe British Museum’s National Programmes team, with the generous support of the Vivmar Foundation, is hosting a free one day conference exploring the subject of lending museum collections.
5 -7 September- GEM Conference 2017 Guildhall, Hull HU1 2AA
GEM’s 2017 annual conference will be: - exploring innovative and inspiring ways of becoming more resilient
- asking how museum, heritage and cultural educators can take the lead in ensuring their organisation’s long-term future
16 -18 November - Museums Association Conference and ExhibitionManchester Central Convention ComplexThe conference guide has been
published. Book by 16 August for Early Bird rates. See WMMD Update section on how to apply for free tickets through WMMD.
Accreditation ReviewArts Council England (ACE) has published more information about the Accreditation Review. Click here to read about it.
York Museums Rate RebateYork Museums Trust has won a landmark appeal case over the way its business rates are calculated and has received a rebate of £100,000 in backdated bills. The Upper Tribunal has ruled that the business rates paid by the Trust should be based on net income and expenditure, and not the cost of rebuilding or the contractor’s method, which the government’s Valuation Office Agency uses to set business rates for many independent museums.
The tribunal’s decision could help 767 museums in England and Wales that pay business rates based on the contractor’s method. Read more.
Touring Exhibitions Group Lending and Borrowing Experiences Survey 2017The survey
will take approximately 10 minutes, or less, to complete and will help gain a snapshot of loans practice in the UK today. Whether your organisation is involved in lending and/or borrowing, or is interested to engage in loans activity in the future, TEG is keen to receive your feedback.Your response will be treated in confidence and you can remain anonymous if you wish. Complete the survey by 31 July 2017 to be entered into a prize draw to win a free place and travel bursary to attend one of TEG's forthcoming Preparing to Borrow workshops.
A survey report will be published in autumn 2017. If you have any questions about the Preparing to Borrow programme, this survey or TEG, please email Charlotte Dew, Programme Manager.
Building Resilience: Fundraising and Revenue Diversification ProgrammeArts Manager International (AMI) is pleased to announce the
Building Resilience: Fundraising and Revenue Diversification Programme, an 18-month teaching and consultation programme for up to 25 arts and cultural organisations throughout England. An information session for the programme led by Brett Egan, President of AMI, is now available for
view and download. The primary objective of the programme is increased financial resilience and is relevant to organisations with nascent, intermediate, and advanced fundraising practices. Strong candidates will articulate an impending opportunity or need that requires a sustained level of consultation support. Competitive organisations may include those that: - Are on the eve of a major new artistic partnership or programme expansion;
- Anticipate succession at the senior staff or board leadership levels;
- Face an upcoming financial "cliff" resulting from the conclusion of support from a primary source of funding; or
- Have made strides in revenue diversification but need to substantially deepen this practice.
The Fundraising and Revenue Diversification Programme application is now available online at
www.artsmanagerinternational.com. Closing date for applications is Monday 31 July. The programme is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
Shortlist for the Family Friendly Museum AwardKids in Museums have announced the shortlist for the Family Friendly Museum Award 2017. The museums are: The Cardiff Story Museum
Dylan Thomas Centre (Swansea)
Great North Museum: Hancock (Newcastle upon Tyne)
Herbert Art Gallery & Museum (Coventry)
Jewish Museum (London)
People’s History Museum (Manchester)
Rainham Hall (Greater London)
River & Rowing Museum (Henley-on-Thames)
Tudor House (Worcester)
Vale and Downland Museum (Oxfordshire) The shortlisted museums will be road-tested anonymously by families over the summer using the new Kids in Museums Mini Manifesto as a guide to their family and child friendliness.
Young People’s Summer ChallengeThe Back to Backs in Birmingham is running a Summer Challenge (SC) to bring together and train young people from across the West Midlands and get them excited and interested in history and heritage. The SC programme helps young people build their confidence and deliver a guided tour to friends, family and National Trust (NT) members. The other longer term aim is to ensure some of the young people take up volunteer opportunities with the NT. The Summer Challenge is from Monday 21 August to Friday 25
August with workshops and activities training the young people through a condensed version of the Back to Backs’ tour guiding course, supported by the property’s volunteers who act as mentors. The Back to Backs are looking for a maximum of 15 young people aged 16 - 20 for the challenge. To find out more email Mukith Miah or call him on 0121 622 2442. Each year after the Summer Challenge about eight or more young people who would not traditionally volunteer with the NT take up voluntary work with the NT.
Kids in Museums11 August is Teen Twitter Takeover, the day where cultural and heritage organisations hand over their Twitter feeds to teenagers... Register now
Heritage Open DaysHeritage Open Days 2017 is 7-10 September. Click here to register to your Heritage Open Day (HOD) event.
Collections Care Skills Sharing ProgrammeSkills sharers:Staffordshire Archives and Heritage Service have a skills sharing opportunity
available covering conservation cleaning, object handling and object packing. If you are interested please contact
Melanie Williamson. Skill seekers:Tracey from Tenbury Museum wants to learn how to display objects. Ashleigh from The Almonry is looking for advice on choosing a CMS system, dealing with a backlog of donations and returning items where no loan agreement is in place, as well as disposal and collection rationalisation. If you can help either Tracey or Ashleigh please email Helen Johnson for further details. If you want to learn new skills please complete the skill seekers form.
Did you know the Heritage Lottery Fund gives out small grants of £3,000-£10,000?Look into the Heritage Lottery Fund’s (HLF) Sharing Heritage
grants, made possible by money raised by National Lottery players.The application form is short and simple, with a quick decision and no deadlines. - A project only needs to deliver one benefit (outcome) for people
- HLF can pay 100% of the cost- although cash or in kind contributions are welcomed
- Projects last up to a year and you can apply straight away online
- To find out more read the
Sharing Heritage webpage and chat to other museums in the HLF online community
Be inspired. Several museums have received Sharing Heritage funding including: Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings: Mud, Sticks & Bricks
A series of hands on sessions during the summer school holidays introduced families to heritage building techniques through the ages (pictured). Brampton Museum: Newcastle - A Plotted History
The project will professionally digitise 55 historical maps and share them through a series of talks, exhibitions and classes organised by the Friends of the Museum. Coventry Music Museum: Melody Makers
The museum will recruit young people and local residents to listen to and discuss items from the museum’s collection and then record their own interpretation of iconic Coventry tracks.
Esmée Fairbairn Collections FundThe Museums Association has announced six successful applicants to the latest round of the Esmée Fairbairn Collections Fund, designed to fund collections development projects for social impact. The deadline for the next round of funding is 6 September. More information about how to apply can be found
here.
Catalyst Small Grants Programme Opens for Applications on 13 JulyArts Council England’s Catalyst Small Grants programme supports organisations to build fundraising capacity to enable them to attract more private giving to arts and culture. It does this by supporting organisations to invest in systems training and developments for staff, volunteers and boards or to cover the costs of external expertise to support their fundraising. The programme offers a one off investment of between £10,000 and £30,000. It is open to small to medium arts and cultural
organisations, including Accredited museums, which have an annual turnover of between £100,000 and £750,000. For further information click here. Deadline for applications is 10 August 2017.
'Working Across Boundaries' National Museum-University Partnerships Initiative (MUPI) Match EventThe Museum-University Partnership Initiative have their final ACE funded MUPI Match event for museums and universities taking place at the end of July. The potential for museum-university partnerships can transcend local and regional boundaries; with collections, knowledge, skills, and experiences that can contribute to projects between museums and universities across England.
MUPI Match events have proved to be a successful way for museums to network with academics, and develop mutually beneficial project ideas. As part of this event there is a small grants fund of £6000 to distribute; the fund can seed fund, and support, museums and academics to explore their partnership ideas further. For more information about MUPI Match events click here. The event at the Cinema Museum, London on Wednesday 26 July is free and you can register
here. If you have any questions please contact Paddy McNulty, MUPI Match Museums Consultant. MUPI Match events are delivered through the Museum University Partnership Initiative, funded by Arts Council England's Museum Resilience Fund and developed in partnership with the Share Academy project and Paddy McNulty Associates.
LIBOR Fund Opens for 2017Projects supporting the Armed Forces and Emergency Services communities can now apply for the next round of LIBOR funding. There is neither a minimum nor a maximum amount of funding, and the Treasury has not given a total amount for this round. In the past, grants have ranged from £100,000 to £5 million. Projects can take place for up to three years and must take place after April 2018 and by the end of March 2021. Find out more
here. The deadline for applications is Friday 25 August (noon).
AIM Biffa Award Announce New Round of ‘History Makers’ FundingFunded by Biffa Award with support from the Landfill Communities Fund, the programme will provide AIM member museums and heritage sites with grants of up to £75,000. Expressions of interest must be submitted as soon as possible and no later than 2 October for panel review. The deadline for full applications is
31 October. Successful applicants will be required to complete their projects by April 2019. Full information on how to apply is available at: AIM Biffa Award History Makers Programme.
Create Positive and Lasting Change in your OrganisationChange Creation
is a new Organisation Development Programme designed for the cultural sector to increase resilience, grow confidence and realise significant and tangible changes that will have a lasting impact on people, organisations, audiences and participants, and the cultural sector. Funded by ACE, this is a new opportunity for Accredited and Provisionally Accredited museums.
Change Creation is now looking for 25 organisations, with compelling plans for change, to take part in this two year programme. Successful organisations will benefit from a hothouse of support, with 1:2:1 mentoring, change management consultancy, change leadership training, workshops, resources, bespoke research, masterclasses… it’s the equivalent value of £13,100. Much more than this, you will be working with some of the most renowned and respected leaders from the sector, be supported by industry experts and become part of a vibrant change creation community, making a difference in your organisation and across the cultural sector.
Information about Change Creation, how to apply and full details can be found here.
Closing date for applications is 17 July.
Marsh Trust Award 2017Applications are open for this year’s Volunteers for Museum Learning Award, presented by the British Museum and the Marsh Christian Trust. The award celebrates the contribution of volunteers in museums, galleries and heritage sites all over the UK.
The closing date for applications is Friday 14 July 2017.
Masonic Charitable Foundation's Community Support SchemeThe Community Support Scheme offers large and small grants to charities registered in England and Wales that are working in the areas of financial hardship, health and disability, education and employability, and social exclusion and disadvantage.
Do You Want To Be a Museum Trustee?The British Glass Foundation is currently looking to recruit four new Trustees to strengthen their Board and they are particularly looking for people with experience of running a visitor attraction, someone with curatorial experience, someone with financial/fundraising experience and someone with legal experience. If you are interested in finding out more or applying to become a Trustee please read the
application pack.
Jonathan Ruffer Curatorial Grants ProgrammeSince the programme launched in 2012 they have helped 247 curators, scholars and researchers with 225 projects; they now have £75,000 to offer annually.
The scheme is open to curators and other professionals working with public collections. Applications under £1,500 are accepted throughout the year, while applications above this level are considered at committee meetings three times a year. Full details on the programme can be found on their website.
Weston Loan Programme - With Art Fund Launches July 2017This new fund supports museums to secure loans from National museums in the context of their own collections and communities. Grants of between £5,000 and £25,000 are expected and can include conservation and transportation costs, display, security, interpretation and audience engagement. For more information on the scheme visit the
Art Fund website.
Keep up to date with the Leicester University Museum Studies jobs desk site here.
Images © Lee Allen Photography
What we need from you…..There are still many museum staff, volunteers and trustees within the West Midlands who do not receive our newsletter. PLEASE make sure your colleagues don’t miss out and forward this newsletter today! To sign up for our newsletter visit
our website and submit your email address at the bottom of our home page or at the bottom of all our web pages.
|