AIM (the Association of Independent Museums) is the national UK body connecting, supporting and representing independent museums.
Founded in 1977 in response to the growing number of community-based projects seeking to preserve locally and nationally-important heritage, AIM has grown to become a respected sector group, consulted on national policy and providing a thriving network for members.
Independent museums range from small local organisations, mainly operated by volunteers, to large institutions, many operating as charitable trusts, and represent over half the museum provision in the UK.
AIM announces £1.5m partnership initiative with Biffa Award
NATIONAL HERITAGE LANDMARKS PARTNERSHIP SCHEME
Independent museums and industrial sites are set to benefit from a new partnership between AIM – The Association of Independent Museums, and Biffa Award, a multi-million pound fund that helps to build communities and transform lives by awarding grants to community and environmental projects across the UK.
The National Heritage Landmarks Partnership Scheme will create a high profile network of interpretation and education projects across the UK, which will showcase the far-reaching changes in industrial development that have shaped our nation’s history.
Biffa Award has pledged a grant of £500,000 per year for three years, which will help transform derelict buildings and sites into inspirational resources enabling the public to better understand the powerful tide of change that characterises our industrial past, by creating a network of key projects that tell the stories of people, processes, industrial development and change.
Museums and industrial sites will be invited to submit bids for the first (2012) funding round. Applicants will need to be able to demonstrate significant impact and heritage benefit. Up to 4 projects will be selected for partnership funding in each annual round. Click here for further details
AIM Chairman Matthew Tanner says: "We are delighted that Biffa Award is supporting this important initiative – it will open up new perspectives of our national heritage as well as providing much needed investment into some of the most important industrial sites in the UK.”
Gillian French, Biffa Award Programme Manager, says: “The National Heritage Landmarks Partnership is an exciting scheme which will help to bring the nation’s industrial heritage to life for thousands of people up and down the country. Local communities will benefit not only from the transformation of disused buildings, but from the intrinsic cultural value of the scheme, and so we are very pleased to be part of it.”
For further information contact AIM’s Executive Director, Sam Hunt, at: henleymanor@btinternet.com , t: 01460 75222 m: 078 333 666 24, or Annie Bowden, PR and Communications Officer at Biffa Award: abowden@rswt.org, t: 01636 670062.
The AIM 2012 Conference
Would You Go Back? Growing the Museum Experience.
The annual AIM Conference will take place on 14-16 June at STEAM: Museum of the Great Western Railway, in conjunction with the National Trust at Heelis, Swindon, Wiltshire, sponsored by Development Partners and Adlib.
The theme for our 2012 Conference will be the visitor experience.
What makes a museum visit a successful one?
How can we improve what we offer our customers?
Will they come again?
To book your place at this years Conference click here
Museum and Heritage Show 2012
AIM will be at this years annual Museum & Heritage Show, taking place on the 16 + 17 May 2012 at Earls Court, London.
Please do come along to our stand and meet with AIM!
Register Now for your FREE Pass!
- The Museums + Heritage Show
- 16 + 17 May 2012,
- Connect with us on
- www.twitter.com/MandHShow
- www.facebook.com/MandHShow
What AIM can do for you
- Be part of a thriving and growing network of independent museums, heritage centres and historical interpretation projects
- Have a strong voice at national level, through AIM’s advocacy with a wide range of organisations
- Benefit from training and knowledge, through AIM annual conference and country-wide workshops
- Apply for support from AIM’s two grant schemes – the Sustainability Scheme and the Conservation Scheme
- Keep up to date with museum and heritage sector issues and practical information through the bi-monthly AIM Bulletin, AIM Focus papers and the AIM website
- Celebrate with others the innovative, entrepreneurial, commercial and user-friendly approach shared by AIM members
- Membership is also welcomed from individuals and groups from all sectors interested in AIM’s approach and activities.