Wednesday May 25, 2011

Message from the Hub Director

Dear museum colleagues,

Following on from my email in January explaining MLA plans for the Renaissance programme, I would like to update you on the following developments.

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Confirmed funding for Museum Development Officers

The same amount of funding as 2010/11 (£488,700) has been secured for Museum Development across the South East until March 2012. The following organisations have volunteered to host Museum Development Officers (MDOs):

• Oxfordshire County Council:
MDO support for Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire
• Hampshire County Council:
MDO support for Hampshire and Isle of Wight
• Royal Pavilion & Brighton and Hove Museums:
MDO support for Surrey, East and West Sussex, Kent and Medway

MDO contact details can be found on our website

As part of the MLA vision for a revised Renaissance programme, MDOs will undertake a more varied role, managing large scale projects as well as delivering on advice, training and support, likely to result in different demands placed upon them. We are encouraging museums to participate in networks and take full advantage of training opportunities and projects. For more details visit our website or contact your local MDO

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Changes to Renaissance South East central team

The Renaissance South East central team based in Winchester will close its offices on 15 June 2011 . Support to museums will continue through the MDOs. The closure of regional Renaissance central teams and phasing out of the Hubs is part of the MLA vision for the revised Renaissance programme - find out more at: www.mla.gov.uk

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New vision for Renaissance

Plans for the revised Renaissance programme are expected to be announced by Arts Council England in the autumn. In the meantime, following the departure of Roy Clare, Paul Lander is managing the transition from MLA to Arts Council England. Find out more at: www.mla.gov.uk

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Participate in new initiatives

Building on the successes of last year, including the Museum Development Fund and Learning projects the following initiatives will soon be available to you:

• Volunteering
Providing support to review existing volunteer policies and practices, and deliver an action plan to drive forward improvements to volunteer management and development
• Learning Partnerships
Helping to build successful partnerships with education providers to increase number of users and improve the quality of their experience
• Needs Analysis
This research using a combination of survey and focus groups builds upon the survey of 2010 to identify local needs
• Improving museum sustainability
Helping museums develop their sustainability, long-term organisational health and vigour by exploring issues such as financial management, business planning, governance and income generation
• Networking opportunities
• Training
• With local initiatives in some areas focused on:
- Audience Development
- Collections Management
- Arts projects

Contact your MDO if you would like to discuss any of the above opportunities.

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Further updates and information

We will continue to keep you updated through our website,
e-bulletins and Twitter until 29 June 2011 and will shortly be publishing findings, recommendations and resources resulting from Renaissance South East activities.

I wish you all the very best for
the future,

Kind regards

Steve Little
Director

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